Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	TRANS LUX CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000099106
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$ 648,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,686,828
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes