Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 10, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-39011
Entity Registrant Name	EXICURE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	81-5333008
Entity Address, Address Line One	2430 N. Halsted St.
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60614
City Area Code	(847)
Local Phone Number	673-1700
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	XCUR
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		87,228,586
Entity Central Index Key	0001698530
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false