Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Nov. 02, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35980
Entity Registrant Name	NANOSTRING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-0094687
Entity Address, Address Line One	530 Fairview Avenue North
Entity Address, City or Town	Seattle
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98109
City Area Code	206
Local Phone Number	378-6266
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	NSTG
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,118,306
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001401708
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31