Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total SemiLEDs Stockholders' Equity USD ($)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income USD ($)	Accumulated Deficit USD ($)	Non-Controlling Interests USD ($)	Total USD ($)
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2012	$ 107,818		$ 167,070	$ 5,179	$ (64,431)	$ 1,033	$ 108,851
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012		27,470
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans	74		74				74
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans (in shares)		291
Stock-based compensation	2,020		2,020				2,020
Purchase of common shares in Ning Xiang from noncontrolling interests	(50)		(50)			(152)	(202)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	378			378		10	388
Net loss	(43,724)				(43,724)	(914)	(44,638)
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2013	66,516		169,114	5,557	(108,155)	(23)	66,493
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		27,761
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans	10		10				10
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans (in shares)		663
Stock-based compensation	1,945		1,945				1,945
Purchase of common shares in Ning Xiang from noncontrolling interests	(142)		(142)			142	0
Dilution gain on equity method investment	26		26				26
Comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	26			26		2	28
Net loss	(24,475)				(24,475)	(135)	(24,610)
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2014	$ 43,906		$ 170,953	$ 5,583	$ (132,630)	$ (14)	$ 43,892
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014		28,424