The amount of debt discount of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	gevo_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionDebtDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of debt issue costs of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionDebtIssueCosts
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the conversion of notes into common stock and embedded derivative change in value upon the conversion.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionOfNoteIntoCommonStockAndEmbeddedDerivativeChangeInValueUponConversion
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The principal amount converted, before debt discount and debt issue costs, of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_DebtInstrumentConvertiblePrincipalAmountConverted
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The principal amount converted, less debt discount and debt issue costs, of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_DebtInstrumentConvertiblePrincipalAmountConvertedNet
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of embedded derivative classified from the conversion of a note into common stock change in value upon the conversion.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_EmbeddedDerivativeConversionOfNoteIntoCommonStockChangeInValueUponConversion
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the exchange of debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gevo_ExchangeOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	gevo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to amortize debt discount and premium associated with the related debt instruments. Excludes amortization of financing costs. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term convertible debt as of the balance sheet date, net of the amount due in the next twelve months or greater than the normal operating cycle, if longer. The debt is convertible into another form of financial instrument, typically the entity's common stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as assets, net of those classified as liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2229187

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest paid other than in cash for example by issuing additional debt securities. As a noncash item, it is added to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=gevo_EmbeddedDerivative2020ConvertibleNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=gevo_Convertible2020NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gevo_PrincipalAmountOf2020NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gevo_DebtIssueCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gevo_DebtDiscountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=gevo_Convertible2022NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=gevo_PrincipalAmountOf2022NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 9 - Debt - Information Pertaining to Convertible Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net, Total	$ 2,637	$ 1,751
Balance - December 31,2018	400
Embedded Derivative, 2020 Convertible Notes [Member]
Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net, Total	(2,637)
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	(2,193)
Balance - December 31, 2017	5,224
Balance - December 31,2018	394	5,224
Convertible 2020 Notes [Member]
Amortization of debt issue costs	309
Paid-in-kind interest	304
Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net, Total
Amortization of debt discount	1,094
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	(2,644)
Balance - December 31, 2017	13,491
Balance - December 31,2018	12,554	13,491
Balance - December 31,2018	400
Convertible 2020 Notes [Member] \| Embedded Derivative, 2020 Convertible Notes [Member]
Amortization of debt issue costs	309
Paid-in-kind interest	304
Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net, Total	(2,637)
Amortization of debt discount	1,094
Balance - December 31, 2017	18,715
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	(4,837)
Balance - December 31,2018	12,948	18,715
Convertible 2020 Notes [Member] \| Principal Amount of 2020 Notes [Member]
Balance - December 31, 2017	16,657
Paid-in-kind interest	304
Balance - December 31,2018	13,775	16,657
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	(3,186)
Convertible 2020 Notes [Member] \| Debt Issue Costs [Member]
Balance - December 31, 2017	(2,501)
Amortization of debt discount	1,094
Balance - December 31,2018	(979)	(2,501)
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	428
Convertible 2020 Notes [Member] \| Debt Discount [Member]
Amortization of debt issue costs	309
Conversion of 2020 Notes into common stock	114
Balance - December 31, 2017	(665)
Balance - December 31,2018	(242)	(665)
Convertible 2022 Notes [Member]
Balance - December 31,2018	0
Convertible 2022 Notes [Member] \| Principal Amount of 2022 Notes [Member]
Balance - December 31, 2017	515
Balance - December 31,2018		$ 515
Exchange of 2022 Notes	$ (515)