Note 3 - Revenues From Contracts With Customers Other Revenues - Disaggregated Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue	$ 32,863	$ 27,308	$ 26,542
Other revenues		228	671
Total revenues	32,863	27,536	27,213
UNITED STATES
Revenue	31,688	26,324	24,654
Other revenues		228	671
Total revenues	31,688	26,552	25,325
All Other Countries [Member]
Revenue	1,176	984	1,889
Other revenues
Total revenues	1,176	984	1,889
Gevo [Member]
Revenue	1,222	1,029	1,929
Other revenues		68	496
Total revenues	1,222	1,097	2,425
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy [Member]
Revenue	31,641	26,279	24,613
Other revenues		160	175
Total revenues	31,641	26,439	24,788
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue	32,838	27,308	26,542
Other revenues
Total revenues	32,838	27,308	26,542
Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue	25
Other revenues		228	671
Total revenues	25	228	671
Ethanol Sales and Related Products [Member]
Revenue	31,641	26,279	24,613
Other revenues
Total revenues	31,641	26,279	24,613
Hydrocarbon [Member]
Revenue	1,197	1,029	1,929
Other revenues
Total revenues	1,197	1,029	1,929
Grant and Other [Member]
Revenue	25
Other revenues		228	671
Total revenues	$ 25	$ 228	$ 671