Note 3 - Revenues From Contracts With Customers Other Revenues - Disaggregated Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Revenue	$ 9,420	$ 7,499	$ 17,663	$ 13,082
Other revenues		43		75
Total revenues	9,420	7,542	17,663	13,157
UNITED STATES
Revenue	8,813	6,839	17,056	12,333
Other revenues		43		75
Total revenues	8,813	6,882	17,056	12,408
All Other Countries [Member]
Revenue	607	660	607	749
Other revenues
Total revenues	607	660	607	749
Gevo [Member]
Revenue	607	660	632	749
Other revenues
Total revenues	607	660	632	749
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy [Member]
Revenue	8,813	6,839	17,031	12,333
Other revenues		43		75
Total revenues	8,813	6,882	17,031	12,408
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue	9,420	7,499	17,638	13,082
Other revenues
Total revenues	9,420	7,499	17,638	13,082
Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue			25
Other revenues		43		75
Total revenues		43	25	75
Ethanol Sales and Related Products [Member]
Revenue	8,813	6,839	17,031	12,333
Other revenues
Total revenues	8,813	6,839	17,031	12,333
Hydrocarbon [Member]
Revenue	607	660	607	749
Other revenues
Total revenues	607	660	607	749
Grant and Other [Member]
Revenue			25
Other revenues		43		75
Total revenues		$ 43	$ 25	$ 75