Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Jun. 21, 2016
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001173420
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer?	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer?	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current?	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		319,933,848
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016