Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested options awarded to employees as compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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No definition available.

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The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
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Stock-based compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 7,132,098
Unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period (in years)	2 years 4 months 17 days
Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, contractual term	10 years
Minimum \| Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, vesting period (in years)	1 year
Maximum \| Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, vesting period (in years)	4 years
Flex Pharma, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized		2,070,200	1,451,087	116,754
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares remaining available for grant of stock awards	771,983