Name:	ostk_DeferredCompensationPlanNumberOfPlanYears
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of vesting of participant's contributions to a non qualified deferred compensation plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ostk_DeferredCompensationPlanVestingPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Period of vesting of employer's matching contributions to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ostk_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The employer contribution as a percentage of the amount contributed by employee up to specified employee contribution that the employer may contribute to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ostk_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchUpToSpecifiedEmployeeContribution
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be fully vested under the 401(k) defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ostk_DefinedContributionPlanMinimumRequisiteServicePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the minimum age limit for participating in 401(k) defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ostk_DefinedContributionPlanParticipantMinimumAge
Namespace Prefix:	ostk_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CompensationAndRetirementDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of assets held under deferred compensation agreements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of employer's matching contributions to a defined contribution plan that vests in a given year.

No definition available.