Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 24, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STARRETT L S CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000093676
Trading Symbol	scx
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--06-30
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		6,279,632
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		681,219