Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Aug. 01, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	AXT INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001051627
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,654,643
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017