Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (9,734)	$ (4,122)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest	338	(470)
Net loss attributable to Pixelworks, Inc. - for purposes of earnings per share calculation	$ (9,396)	$ (4,592)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	55,720	53,680
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	55,720	53,680
Net loss attributable to Pixelworks Inc. per share - diluted (dollars per share)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.09)
Net loss attributable to Pixelworks Inc. per share - basic (dollars per share)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.09)