<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<xbrl
  xml:lang="en-US"
  xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance"
  xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022q4"
  xmlns:ecd="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2022q4"
  xmlns:iso4217="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217"
  xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase"
  xmlns:nstg="http://www.nanostring.com/20230414"
  xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022"
  xmlns:xbrldi="http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
    <link:schemaRef xlink:href="nstg-20230414.xsd" xlink:type="simple"/>
    <context id="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i9b29caaa395846f2a1607a125cf7aab9_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i2993cf46678945fe8699ff193c5cf6d3_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i70ab246e61884d3a9c6782f81138df57_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i2246b4d9853440858f8ddca80998df47_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ie4cbe8974728494da92772eaca15626f_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i3ccd05fdeea748ce8a0de528eba3250c_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i4aac014dd5e44958864a6184aa879dc4_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ieb4a9e90a90d4fe69f32bcf5ecbd544b_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ic946500a80a94f9e978cb503acd6da5a_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i11710f5574aa477aa05dbd94de4731d7_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i52bda820449e4b99a15487daa8a48db8_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i63ee4dec369e42b98fb47e716d2873b1_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i6e4b500aa240470fbc424671472272fc_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i5787893e4be246ee8c45338b6ccffcb1_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ib50a1a35b6504131ae82a2d514816501_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ief03b609b256460b8fb6e2bd67d8ba55_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i116124f6414147218797af513949cb71_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="if28c27e65c2041ea8d3e4996c160b7e8_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i3f2b963f14604ce0baa862e0689efc61_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i7379d7f06bc342a497e3d2d9373ccb4d_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ia8837c2380e7424a8bad8869742e18c4_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:PeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="iab87bd35624d46e094398519003a99c4_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="if7ff09d90a314b4f925b015d1b6db98c_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i85602529890646fca2ee253a7443f684_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:LessReportedFairValueOfEquityAwardsMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="iede2de3921c24d59820b8b43b3b28551_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i6419494afabf48969a8e9e5640f3bb0b_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i48a9c3a784714af18dba4b8555548fd7_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AddYearEndFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i1c7ea560889041a9988adf6f24b187cf_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="iec9b4aec322c4d39860e8061148a1e13_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i167a7e6687f841f191fd039269a2b075_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityAwardsGrantedInPriorYearsThatVestedInTheYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i5bdb466c4533416092a3ecace5f1e7f0_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i68d578d350e84349af3d51ae53314262_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ife58206576204a65bb3b9b48a48c21d1_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForFairValueAtVestingOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInFiscsalYearThatVestedDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i94795f0a408c412f942bac10a782bfc9_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="icdfbb7f1b7ee4e08b25b46a95481ed67_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i5336bc7eb7a644a18cbab954673c6dd0_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:AdjustForChangeInFairValueAsOfVestingDateOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsForWhichApplicableVestingConditionsWereSatisfiedMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i0b16f447c3984bd08b0473f828086b41_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i4be4ba7510174497b2ee953b60e97667_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ib30fcf9130a143d191847f949da49332_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:FairValueAsOfPriorFiscalYearEndOfOptionAwardsAndStockAwardsGrantedInPriorFiscalYearsThatFailedToMeetApplicableVestingConditionsDuringFiscalYearMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ifc162650e9e74304ab8e81605ea15ee3_D20200101-20201231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2020-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2020-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="icea9cda1e53c4b5784493aa09822340b_D20210101-20211231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2021-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2021-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="id6116991bda8498e915a4a2c53cbdcfb_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:AdjToCompAxis">nstg:ValueOfDividendsOrOtherEarningsPaidOnStockOrOptionAwardsNotOtherwiseReflectedInFairValueOrTotalCompensationMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="ecd:ExecutiveCategoryAxis">ecd:NonPeoNeoMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="ia28eee947d2a400c83bd363fd2e3b07e_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ecd:MeasureAxis">
                    <ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>1</ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i3e20b652fdda4682ae7a992171ba0720_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ecd:MeasureAxis">
                    <ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>2</ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i759e67b5c1b04e42a4bc452dfdb74c88_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ecd:MeasureAxis">
                    <ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>3</ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="i66c0caa8bbeb4c2f899661f387fac6f8_D20220101-20221231">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001401708</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:typedMember dimension="ecd:MeasureAxis">
                    <ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>4</ecd:MeasureAxis.domain>
                </xbrldi:typedMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2022-01-01</startDate>
            <endDate>2022-12-31</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <unit id="usd">
        <measure>iso4217:USD</measure>
    </unit>
    <dei:AmendmentFlag
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-2">false</dei:AmendmentFlag>
    <dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-3">0001401708</dei:EntityCentralIndexKey>
    <dei:DocumentType
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-4">PRE 14A</dei:DocumentType>
    <dei:EntityRegistrantName
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-1">NANOSTRING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.</dei:EntityRegistrantName>
    <ecd:PvpTableTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-5">&lt;div style="margin-bottom:6pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#00708b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"&gt;Pay Versus Performance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;The following table sets forth information concerning the relationship between executive compensation actually paid to our CEO and other NEOs (our &#x201c;non-PEO NEOs&#x201d;) and certain financial performance measures of the company for our fiscal years ending in December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</ecd:PvpTableTextBlock>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-6"
      unitRef="usd">7596268</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-7"
      unitRef="usd">-2644337</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-8"
      unitRef="usd">2122384</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-9"
      unitRef="usd">-217100</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-10"
      unitRef="usd">28.65</ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-11"
      unitRef="usd">113.65</ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-12"
      unitRef="usd">-159543</us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss>
    <ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-13"
      unitRef="usd">127262</ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-14"
      unitRef="usd">5771962</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-15"
      unitRef="usd">-2080019</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-16"
      unitRef="usd">2086486</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-17"
      unitRef="usd">-57132</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-18"
      unitRef="usd">153.70</ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-19"
      unitRef="usd">127.55</ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-20"
      unitRef="usd">-115254</us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss>
    <ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-21"
      unitRef="usd">145085</ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-22"
      unitRef="usd">5453681</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-23"
      unitRef="usd">18509831</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-24"
      unitRef="usd">1583094</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-25"
      unitRef="usd">4826492</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-26"
      unitRef="usd">240.4</ecd:TotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="2"
      id="f-27"
      unitRef="usd">126.42</ecd:PeerGroupTotalShareholderRtnAmt>
    <us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-28"
      unitRef="usd">-110078</us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss>
    <ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-29"
      unitRef="usd">117316</ecd:CoSelectedMeasureAmt>
    <ecd:PeoName
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-30">Mr. Gray</ecd:PeoName>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-31"
      unitRef="usd">5453681</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-32"
      unitRef="usd">5771962</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-33"
      unitRef="usd">7596268</ecd:PeoTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i9b29caaa395846f2a1607a125cf7aab9_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-34"
      unitRef="usd">-4312551</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i2993cf46678945fe8699ff193c5cf6d3_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-35"
      unitRef="usd">-4650260</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i70ab246e61884d3a9c6782f81138df57_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-36"
      unitRef="usd">-6536080</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i2246b4d9853440858f8ddca80998df47_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-37"
      unitRef="usd">5780489</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ie4cbe8974728494da92772eaca15626f_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-38"
      unitRef="usd">1886373</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i3ccd05fdeea748ce8a0de528eba3250c_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-39"
      unitRef="usd">629327</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i4aac014dd5e44958864a6184aa879dc4_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-40"
      unitRef="usd">10811670</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ieb4a9e90a90d4fe69f32bcf5ecbd544b_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-41"
      unitRef="usd">-4436382</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ic946500a80a94f9e978cb503acd6da5a_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-42"
      unitRef="usd">-2633535</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i11710f5574aa477aa05dbd94de4731d7_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-43"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i52bda820449e4b99a15487daa8a48db8_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-44"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i63ee4dec369e42b98fb47e716d2873b1_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-45"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i6e4b500aa240470fbc424671472272fc_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-46"
      unitRef="usd">776542</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i5787893e4be246ee8c45338b6ccffcb1_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-47"
      unitRef="usd">-651712</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ib50a1a35b6504131ae82a2d514816501_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-48"
      unitRef="usd">-1700317</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ief03b609b256460b8fb6e2bd67d8ba55_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-49"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i116124f6414147218797af513949cb71_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-50"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="if28c27e65c2041ea8d3e4996c160b7e8_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-51"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i3f2b963f14604ce0baa862e0689efc61_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-52"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i7379d7f06bc342a497e3d2d9373ccb4d_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-53"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ia8837c2380e7424a8bad8869742e18c4_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-54"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-55"
      unitRef="usd">18509831</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-56"
      unitRef="usd">-2080019</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-57"
      unitRef="usd">-2644337</ecd:PeoActuallyPaidCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-58"
      unitRef="usd">1583094</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-59"
      unitRef="usd">2086486</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-60"
      unitRef="usd">2122384</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgTotalCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="iab87bd35624d46e094398519003a99c4_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-61"
      unitRef="usd">-966672</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="if7ff09d90a314b4f925b015d1b6db98c_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-62"
      unitRef="usd">-1466658</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i85602529890646fca2ee253a7443f684_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-63"
      unitRef="usd">-1630737</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="iede2de3921c24d59820b8b43b3b28551_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-64"
      unitRef="usd">1313686</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i6419494afabf48969a8e9e5640f3bb0b_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-65"
      unitRef="usd">646734</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i48a9c3a784714af18dba4b8555548fd7_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-66"
      unitRef="usd">226326</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i1c7ea560889041a9988adf6f24b187cf_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-67"
      unitRef="usd">2675446</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="iec9b4aec322c4d39860e8061148a1e13_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-68"
      unitRef="usd">-1108510</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i167a7e6687f841f191fd039269a2b075_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-69"
      unitRef="usd">-593629</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i5bdb466c4533416092a3ecace5f1e7f0_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-70"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i68d578d350e84349af3d51ae53314262_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-71"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ife58206576204a65bb3b9b48a48c21d1_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-72"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i94795f0a408c412f942bac10a782bfc9_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-73"
      unitRef="usd">220938</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="icdfbb7f1b7ee4e08b25b46a95481ed67_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-74"
      unitRef="usd">-215184</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i5336bc7eb7a644a18cbab954673c6dd0_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-75"
      unitRef="usd">-341444</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i0b16f447c3984bd08b0473f828086b41_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-76"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="i4be4ba7510174497b2ee953b60e97667_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-77"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ib30fcf9130a143d191847f949da49332_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-78"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="ifc162650e9e74304ab8e81605ea15ee3_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-79"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="icea9cda1e53c4b5784493aa09822340b_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-80"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:AdjToCompAmt
      contextRef="id6116991bda8498e915a4a2c53cbdcfb_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-81"
      unitRef="usd">0</ecd:AdjToCompAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="i8588b667c1344513aa31ec57df0ce61d_D20200101-20201231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-82"
      unitRef="usd">4826492</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="ie0aee725e3434a04b07b15214f9eb7d4_D20210101-20211231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-83"
      unitRef="usd">-57132</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      decimals="0"
      id="f-84"
      unitRef="usd">-217100</ecd:NonPeoNeoAvgCompActuallyPaidAmt>
    <ecd:PeerGroupIssuersFnTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-85">The peer group used for this column is the Nasdaq Biotechnology TR Index, which is the peer group used in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023.</ecd:PeerGroupIssuersFnTextBlock>
    <ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsTotalShareholderRtnTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-86">&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;Chart 1: Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Stockholder Return&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;img alt="CAP v. TSR.jpg" src="nstg-20230414_g26.jpg" style="height:212px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:505px"/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsTotalShareholderRtnTextBlock>
    <ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsNetIncomeTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-87">&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;Chart 2: Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;img alt="CAP v. Net Loss.jpg" src="nstg-20230414_g27.jpg" style="height:225px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:504px"/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsNetIncomeTextBlock>
    <ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsCoSelectedMeasureTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-88">&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;Chart 3: Compensation Actually Paid vs. Revenue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt;text-align:center"&gt;&lt;img alt="CAP v. Total Revenue.jpg" src="nstg-20230414_g28.jpg" style="height:212px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:500px"/&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</ecd:CompActuallyPaidVsCoSelectedMeasureTextBlock>
    <ecd:TabularListTableTextBlock
      contextRef="icf5f5be99e0c495aa6e2380e161df314_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-89">&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#00708b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:700;line-height:145%"&gt;Tabular List of Financial Performance Measures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom:9pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;We consider the following to be the most important financial performance measures to link CAP to NEOs, for 2022, to company performance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding-left:54pt;text-indent:-18pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;&#x2022;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%;padding-left:14.78pt"&gt;Revenue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding-left:54pt;text-indent:-18pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;&#x2022;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%;padding-left:14.78pt"&gt;Gross Margins&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding-left:54pt;text-indent:-18pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;&#x2022;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%;padding-left:14.78pt"&gt;Operating Expenses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="padding-left:54pt;text-indent:-18pt"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%"&gt;&#x2022;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color:#56565b;font-family:'Proxima Nova Rg',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:145%;padding-left:14.78pt"&gt;Bookings of CosMx SMI instruments (important non-financial performance measure)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</ecd:TabularListTableTextBlock>
    <ecd:MeasureName
      contextRef="ia28eee947d2a400c83bd363fd2e3b07e_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-90">Revenue</ecd:MeasureName>
    <ecd:MeasureName
      contextRef="i3e20b652fdda4682ae7a992171ba0720_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-91">Gross Margins</ecd:MeasureName>
    <ecd:MeasureName
      contextRef="i759e67b5c1b04e42a4bc452dfdb74c88_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-92">Operating Expenses</ecd:MeasureName>
    <ecd:MeasureName
      contextRef="i66c0caa8bbeb4c2f899661f387fac6f8_D20220101-20221231"
      id="f-93">Bookings of CosMx SMI instruments (important non-financial performance measure)</ecd:MeasureName>
</xbrl>
