Note 30 - Earnings per share (Detail) - Basic and diluted earnings per share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.	$ 2,996	$ 2,995
Dividend for Series A convertible preferred stock		(407)
Net income attributable to common shareholders of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for diluted earnings per share)	2,996	2,588
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic (in Shares)	22,185,556	18,545,609
Effect of diluted securities:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Diluted (in Shares)	22,185,556	18,759,240
Earnings per share-Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.14
Earnings per share-Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 0.14
Net income attributable to common shareholders of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for basic earnings per share)	2,996	2,588
Basic Earnings Per Share [Member]
Dividend for Series A convertible preferred stock		$ 407
Warrant [Member]
Effect of diluted securities:
Effect of diluted securities (in Shares)		213,631