<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.21.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>185</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>303</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>56</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DocumentCoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Disclosure - Organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponents</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponents</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Organization - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Schedule of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock Equivalents Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareScheduleOfOutstandingSharesOfCommonStockEquivalentsExcludedFromCalculationOfDilutedNetLossPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Schedule of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock Equivalents Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsScheduleOfFairValueOfFinancialAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value of Financial Liabilities Assumptions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfFairValueOfFinancialLiabilitiesAssumptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value of Financial Liabilities Assumptions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additonal Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditonalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additonal Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsSummaryOfCashAndCashEquivalentsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Cash and Cash Equivalents (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsSummaryOfReconciliationOfCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsSummaryOfPrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsSummaryOfPropertyAndEquipmentNetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Accrued and Other Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsSummaryOfAccruedAndOtherLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Accrued and Other Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Leases - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense and Related Cash Flows (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfComponentsOfLeaseExpenseAndRelatedCashFlowsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense and Related Cash Flows (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Maturities Lease Liabilities under Leases Agreements (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfMaturitiesLeaseLiabilitiesUnderLeasesAgreementsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Maturities Lease Liabilities under Leases Agreements (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Common Stock Reserved for Issuance (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityScheduleOfCommonStockReservedForIssuanceDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Common Stock Reserved for Issuance (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense for Employees and Non-employees (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationScheduleOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseForEmployeesAndNonEmployeesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense for Employees and Non-employees (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Estimated Grant-date Fair Values of Stock-based Awards Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model Assumptions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationScheduleOfEstimatedGrantDateFairValuesOfStockBasedAwardsUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelAssumptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Estimated Grant-date Fair Values of Stock-based Awards Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model Assumptions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="srra-10q_20210930.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://sierraoncology.com/20210930/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="srra-10q_20210930.htm">srra-10q_20210930.htm</File>
    <File>srra-20210930.xsd</File>
    <File>srra-20210930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>srra-20210930_def.xml</File>
    <File>srra-20210930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>srra-20210930_pre.xml</File>
    <File>srra-ex101_105.htm</File>
    <File>srra-ex311_9.htm</File>
    <File>srra-ex312_6.htm</File>
    <File>srra-ex321_8.htm</File>
    <File>srra-ex322_7.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2021-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2021-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2021</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
