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AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading

ADVISORSHARES QAM EQUITY HEDGE ETF

NYSE Arca Ticker: QEH
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (the “Fund”) seeks investment results that exceed the risk adjusted performance of approximately 50% of the long/short equity hedge fund universe as defined by the HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index constituents.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which are not reflected in the table below.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment) None

Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. This rate excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind creations or redemptions of the Fund’s capital shares. For the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 132.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

EXAMPLE

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the shares of the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This Example does not take into account creation or redemption transaction fees, or the brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling shares of the Fund. If these fees and commissions were included, your costs would be higher.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund is a ‘‘fund of funds’’ that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in both long and short positions in other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs’’) and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that offer diversified exposure to global regions, countries, investment styles (i.e., value and growth), sectors and industries. Commerce Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by taking long and short positions in ETFs and ETNs that the Sub-Advisor believes, in the aggregate, will track the performance of a selected universe of long/short equity hedge funds.

 

Long/short equity hedge funds typically buy stocks, ETFs, ETNs or currencies that the hedge fund managers expect will appreciate, and concurrently either sell short stocks, ETFs, ETNs or currencies that the hedge fund managers expect will decline in value or to hedge market or sector exposures.

 

In seeking to establish a long or short position in such instruments, the Fund may use swaps based on published indices, including international indices. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded currency trusts, which are another type of exchange-traded product (collectively, with ETFs and ETNs, “ETPs”). On a day-to-day basis, the Fund may hold money market instruments, cash, other cash equivalents, and ETPs that invest in these and other highly liquid instruments to collateralize its derivative positions.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

The Fund is a ‘‘fund of funds’’ that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in both long and short positions in other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs’’) and exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that offer diversified exposure to global regions, countries, investment styles (i.e., value and growth), sectors and industries.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund is subject to a number of risks, as described below, that may affect the value of its shares, including the possible loss of money. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

Allocation Risk. The Fund’s particular allocations may have a significant effect on the Fund’s performance. Allocation risk is the risk that the selection of ETPs and the allocation of assets among such ETPs will cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective that do not allocate their assets in the same manner or the market as a whole.

 

Counterparty Risk. The Fund may invest in financial instruments involving counterparties that attempt to gain exposure to a particular group of securities, index or asset class without actually purchasing those securities or investments, or to hedge a position. The Fund’s use of such financial instruments, including swap agreements, exposes the Fund to risks that are different than those associated with direct investments in portfolio securities. For example, if a swap agreement counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease.

 

Credit Risk. The Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a debt instrument in which the Fund invests becomes unwilling or unable to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise meet its obligations.

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund intends to invest in derivatives to a significant extent. Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly exceed the Fund’s original investment. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of a financial asset (such as stock, bond or currency), a physical asset (such as gold) or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). Many derivatives (including option contracts) create leverage thereby causing the Fund to be more volatile than it would be if it had not invested in derivatives. Derivatives also expose the Fund to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations) and to credit risk.

 

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities in which the Fund invests rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual issuers, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

 

Exchange-Traded Note Risk. ETNs are senior, unsecured unsubordinated debt securities issued by an underwriting bank that are designed to provide returns that are linked to a particular reference asset or benchmark less investor fees. ETNs have a maturity date and generally are backed only by the creditworthiness of the issuer. As a result, the value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying market (e.g., the commodities market), changes in the applicable interest rates, and changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the underlying market. ETNs also may be subject to commodities market risk and credit risk.

 

Exchange-Traded Product Risk. Through its investments in ETPs, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the ETPs’ investments, or reference assets/benchmark components in the case of ETNs, including the possibility that the value of the securities or instruments held by or linked to an ETP could decrease. These risks include any combination of the risks described below, as well as certain of the other risks described in this section. The Fund’s exposure to a particular risk will be proportionate to the Fund’s overall allocation to the ETPs and the ETPs asset allocation.

 

 

 

  · Commodity Risk. Because certain ETPs may have a significant portion of their assets exposed directly or indirectly to commodities or commodity-linked securities, developments affecting commodities may have a disproportionate impact on such ETPs. An ETP’s investment in commodities or commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the ETP (and indirectly the Fund) to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage. The value of commodities and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

 

  · Concentration Risk. An ETP may, at various times, concentrate in the securities or commodities of a particular industry, group of industries, market sector or geographic region. To the extent an ETP’s investments are so concentrated, the Fund may be adversely affected by political, regulatory, and market conditions affecting the particular industry, group of industries, market sector or geographic region.

 

  · Counterparty Risk. Commodity-linked derivatives, repurchase agreements, swap agreements and other forms of financial instruments that involve counterparties subject an ETP to the risk that the counterparty could default on its obligations under the agreement, either through the counterparty’s bankruptcy or failure to perform its obligations.

 

  · Credit Risk. Certain ETPs are subject to the risk that a decline in the credit quality of a portfolio investment or a counterparty to a portfolio investment could cause the ETP’s share price to fall. The ETPs could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a portfolio investment or the counterparty to a derivatives contract fails to make timely principal or interest payments or otherwise honor its obligations.

 

  · Emerging Markets Risk. There is an increased risk of price volatility associated with an ETP’s investments in, or exposure to, emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

  · Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities in which an ETP invests or is exposed to rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole.

 

  · Foreign Currency Risk. Currency movements may negatively impact the value of an ETP portfolio security even when there is no change in the value of the security in the issuer’s home country. Certain ETPs may not hedge against the risk of currency exchange rate fluctuations, while other ETPs may if there is volatility in currency exchange rates.

 

  · Foreign Securities Risk. An ETP’s investments in, or exposure to, foreign issuers involve certain risks including, but not limited to, risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions, or changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges). In certain countries, legal remedies available to investors may be more limited than those available with respect to investments in the United States. In addition, the securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid and, at times, more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.

 

  · Large-Capitalization Risk. Returns on investments in stocks of large U.S. companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of small- and mid- cap companies or the market as a whole.

 

  · Mid-Capitalization Risk. Mid-cap companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-cap companies to have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or depend on a few key employees. Returns on investments in stocks of mid- cap companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of large- or small-cap companies or the market as a whole.

 

  · Small-Capitalization Risk. Small-cap companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments. In particular, small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets, and financial resources and may be dependent upon a relatively small management group. These securities may be listed on an exchange or trade over-the-counter, and may or may not pay dividends. During a period when the performance of small-cap stocks falls behind that of other types of investments, such as large-cap stocks, the ETP’s performance could be adversely affected.

 

  · Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error can arise due to factors such as the effect of transaction fees and expenses incurred by an ETP, changes in composition of the ETP’s benchmark, and the ability of the ETP manager or sponsor to successfully implement his or her investment strategy.

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular Fund investments are difficult to purchase or sell. This can reduce the Fund’s returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.

 

Management Risk. The Sub-Advisor continuously evaluates the Fund’s holdings, purchases and sales with a view to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. However, the achievement of the stated investment objective cannot be guaranteed over short- or long-term market cycles. The Sub-Advisor’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment.

 

Market Risk. Due to market conditions, the value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate significantly from day to day. Price fluctuations may be temporary or may last for extended periods. This volatility may cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may experience relatively high portfolio turnover, which may result in increased transaction costs and Fund performance that is lower than expected.

 

Short Sales Risk. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the underlying security goes down in price between the time the Fund sells the security and buys it back, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. Any such loss is increased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. Likewise, any gain will be decreased by the amount of premium or interest the Fund must pay to the lender of the security. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited. Short sales involve leverage because the Fund borrows securities and then sells them, effectively leveraging its assets. The use of leverage may magnify gains or losses for the Fund.

 

Tax Risk. In order to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies (“RICs”), the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from certain categories of income (“qualifying income”) and must satisfy certain asset diversification requirements. Certain of the Fund’s investments may generate income that is not qualifying income. If the Fund were to fail to meet the qualifying income test or asset diversification requirements and fail to qualify as a RIC, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income.

 

Trading Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade above or below their net asset value (“NAV”). The trading price of the Fund’s shares may deviate significantly from their NAV during periods of market volatility. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Fund’s shares will develop or be maintained. In addition, trading in shares of the Fund may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), make trading in shares inadvisable.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney

The Fund is subject to a number of risks, as described below, that may affect the value of its shares, including the possible loss of money.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

FUND PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table that follow show how the Fund has performed on a calendar year basis and provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index, which is a fund-weighted index of select hedge funds focusing on Equity Hedge strategies. Both the bar chart and the table assume the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.advisorshares.com.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

The table also shows how the Fund’s performance compares to the HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index, which is a fund-weighted index of select hedge funds focusing on Equity Hedge strategies.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.advisorshares.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Annual Return Caption [Text] rr_AnnualReturnCaption

Return
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2016 was 3.18%.

 

Best and Worst Quarter Returns (for the period reflected in the bar chart above)

 

    Return     Quarter/Year
Highest Return   4.32 %   Q4/2013
Lowest Return   -7.25 %   Q3/2015
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2016
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 3.18%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Highest Return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 4.32%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Lowest Return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2015
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (7.25%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher

In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.
AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.97%) [1]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (0.86%) [1]
AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
MANAGEMENT FEES rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
DISTRIBUTION (12b-1) FEES rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
OTHER EXPENSES rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.15%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.97%
ACQUIRED FUND FEES AND EXPENSES rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.35% [2]
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.50%
FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.47%) [3]
TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES AFTER FEE WAIVER/EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.03%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 206
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 938
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,691
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 3,677
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 11.16%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 0.84%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (3.26%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return Before Taxes Based on NAV
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.26%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.35%
AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return After Taxes on Distributions
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.66%) [4]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.92% [4]
AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF (Prospectus Summary) | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | AdvisorShares QAM Equity Hedge ETF | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.74%) [4]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.46% [4]
[1] Performance numbers for the Fund are calculated from August 7, 2012, the Fund's inception date. Performance numbers for the HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index are calculated from August 31, 2012.
[2] Total Annual Operating Expenses and Total Annual Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement in this fee table may not correlate to the expense ratios in the Fund's financial highlights (and the Fund's financial statements) because the financial highlights include only the Fund's direct operating expenses and do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, which represent the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses of the exchange-traded funds in which it invests.
[3] AdvisorShares Investments, LLC (the "Advisor") has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or reimburse expenses in order to keep net expenses (excluding amounts payable pursuant to any plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1, interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus. The expense limitation agreement may be terminated without payment of any penalty (i) by the Trust for any reason and at any time and (ii) by the Advisor, for any reason, upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to the Trust, such termination by the Advisor to be effective as of the close of business on the last day of the then-current one-year period.
[4] After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not relevant if you hold your shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.