Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Aug. 02, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-39388
Entity Registrant Name	Berkeley Lights, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-2415390
Entity Address, Address Line One	5858 Horton Street, Suite 320
Entity Address, City or Town	Emeryville
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94608
City Area Code	510
Local Phone Number	858-2855
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.00005 par value
Trading Symbol	BLI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,100,594
Entity Central Index Key	0001689657
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false