<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>246</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>353</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>89</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001001 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of business and organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/NatureOfBusinessAndOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of business and organization</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Risks and uncertainties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RisksAndUncertainties</Role>
      <ShortName>Risks and uncertainties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/Inventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Prepaid expenses and other current assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Prepaid expenses and other current assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts payable and accrued liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Income taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - Retirement plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RetirementPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - Related Party Collaboration Agreement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RelatedPartyCollaborationAgreement</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Collaboration Agreement</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2140100 - Disclosure - Recently Issued Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Issued Accounting Standards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2146100 - Disclosure - Subsequent events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2204201 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304302 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/InventoryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/Inventory</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2343301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Nature of business and organization (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/NatureOfBusinessAndOrganizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of business and organization (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/NatureOfBusinessAndOrganization</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - Risks and uncertainties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RisksAndUncertaintiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Risks and uncertainties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/RisksAndUncertainties</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/InventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/InventoryTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Schedule of Property, plant and equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment - Schedule of Property, plant and equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, plant and equipment - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Debt - Conditions of Long Term Debt Outstanding (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/DebtConditionsOfLongTermDebtOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Conditions of Long Term Debt Outstanding (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Debt - Debt Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/DebtDebtMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Debt Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422404 - Disclosure - Debt - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Recent Stock Issuances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityRecentStockIssuancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Recent Stock Issuances (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Warrants (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityWarrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Warrants (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Restricted stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityRestrictedStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Restricted stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425406 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Stock Option Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Stock Option Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425407 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Summary of Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Summary of Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425408 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Weighted Average Assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Weighted Average Assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425409 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Summary of Expense Related to Revalued Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfExpenseRelatedToRevaluedOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Summary of Expense Related to Revalued Options (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425410 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity - Compensation Costs Recognized on Financial Statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/StockholdersEquityCompensationCostsRecognizedOnFinancialStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity - Compensation Costs Recognized on Financial Statements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Components of Loss Before Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfLossBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Components of Loss Before Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428403 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428404 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428405 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431403 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies Lease Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLeaseObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies Lease Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431404 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434401 - Disclosure - Retirement plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RetirementPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/RetirementPlan</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437401 - Disclosure - Related Party Collaboration Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/RelatedPartyCollaborationAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Collaboration Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/RelatedPartyCollaborationAgreement</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialInformationUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aqb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446401 - Disclosure - Subsequent events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://aquabounty.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://aquabounty.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>aqb-20191231.xml</File>
    <File>aqb-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>aqb-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>aqb-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>aqb-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>aqb-20191231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
