Narrative (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 carrier shares	Mar. 18, 2019 shares	Dec. 31, 2018 shares	May 01, 2018 vote	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) carrier shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Pro forma number of LLC Units outstanding (in shares) | shares	36,293	36,285	36,286
Vote per share | vote				1
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Pro forma number of LLC Units outstanding (in shares) | shares		14,421			15,238	13,800
Vote per share | carrier	1				1
Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Pro forma number of LLC Units outstanding (in shares) | shares		21,864			21,055	22,486
Vote per share | carrier	1				1
LLC Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions					$ 6,300	$ 3,900
Conversion ratio				1
Pre-IPO LLC Members
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions					3,700	3,000
Pre-IPO LLC Members | Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions					1,400	261
Pre-IPO LLC Members | LLC Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions					1,400	261
Goosehead Insurance, Inc. | LLC Units
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Distributions					$ 2,600	$ 900