Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total SemiLEDs Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Non-Controlling Interests	Total
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2014	$ 43,906		$ 170,953	$ 5,583	$ (132,630)	$ (14)	$ 43,892
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014		2,842
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans (in shares)		63
Stock-based compensation	1,289		1,289				1,289
Purchase of common shares in Ning Xiang from noncontrolling interests	(125)		(125)			125
Comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,500)			(2,500)		3	(2,497)
Net loss	(13,274)				(13,274)	(44)	(13,318)
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2015	29,296		172,117	3,083	(145,904)	70	29,366
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2015		2,905
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock for private placement	2,885		2,885				2,885
Issuance of common stock for private placement (in shares)		577
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans (in shares)		35
Stock-based compensation	382		382				382
Comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss)	315			315		(2)	313
Net loss	(21,275)				(21,275)	(29)	(21,304)
BALANCE at Aug. 31, 2016	$ 11,603		$ 175,384	$ 3,398	$ (167,179)	$ 39	$ 11,642
BALANCE (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2016		3,517