Note 25 - Earnings per share (Detail) - Basic and diluted earnings per share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income/(loss) attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share) (in Dollars)	$ 30	$ (366)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic	22,186,540	22,182,584
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Diluted	22,186,540	22,182,584
Earnings/(loss) per share-Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)
Earnings/(loss) per share-Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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+ Details