Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Aug. 03, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	WVE
Entity Registrant Name	WAVE LIFE SCIENCES LTD.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	U0
Entity Central Index Key	0001631574
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,820,111
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	00-0000000
Entity File Number	001-37627
Entity Address, Address Line One	7 Straits View #12-00
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Marina One
Entity Address, City or Town	East Tower
Entity Address, Country	SG
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	018936
City Area Code	+65
Local Phone Number	6236 3388
Title of 12(b) Security	$0 Par Value Ordinary Shares
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ