Cover - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 01, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Houston Wire & Cable CO
Entity Central Index Key	0001356949
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	000-52046
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	HWCC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 83,886,290
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,556,950
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019