Condensed Parent Company Only Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									$ 9,279	$ 11,377
Loss from operations	(5,715)	(6,348)	(6,619)	(6,107)	(17,684)	(9,802)	(7,007)	(8,174)	(24,789)	(42,667)	(36,400)
Other income (expenses):
Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net									(83)	11
Total other income (expenses), net									179	(1,968)
Net loss attributable to SemiLEDs stockholders	(5,369)	(6,405)	(6,409)	(6,292)	(17,857)	(10,953)	(5,991)	(8,923)	(24,475)	(43,724)
SemiLEDs
Operating expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									1,766	2,177
Loss from operations									(1,766)	(2,177)
Other income (expenses):
Equity in losses from subsidiaries, net									(22,718)	(41,572)
Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net									9	25
Total other income (expenses), net									(22,709)	(41,547)
Net loss attributable to SemiLEDs stockholders									$ (24,475)	$ (43,724)