Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jan. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comarco, Inc. and CWT. All material intercompany balances, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassification Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the years reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain accounting principles require subjective and complex judgments to be used in the preparation of financial statements. Accordingly, a different financial presentation could result depending on the judgments, estimates, or assumptions that are used. Such estimates and assumptions include, but are not specifically limited to, those required in the assessment of valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and determination of stock-based compensation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of three months or less when acquired are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the amounts shown in the consolidated financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents are generally maintained in uninsured accounts, typically Eurodollar deposits with daily liquidity, which are subject to investment risk including possible loss of principal invested.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash Our restricted cash balance was secured in a separate bank account and served as collateral for a $77,000 letter of credit that served as the security deposit for our corporate office lease that was our previous headquarters, which we subleased to a third party until the lease expired on August 31, 2016. The letter of credit also expired on August 31, 2016 and $77,000 is no longer classified as restricted cash.
Accounts Receivable from Suppliers [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable due from Suppliers Previously, when we were engaged in our traditional operations of producing charging solutions for battery powered devices, we were often able to source components locally that we later sold to our contract manufacturers, who built the finished goods, and other suppliers. This was especially true when new products were initially introduced into production. Sales to our contract manufacturers (or “CMs”) and other suppliers were excluded from revenue and were recorded as a reduction to cost of revenue. The entire accounts receivable due from suppliers at January 31, 2016 was from Zheng Ge, a tip supplier for our Bronx product, which was subject to a recall. We ceased paying Zheng Ge during the course of the product recall while we investigated the manufacturing defect which ultimately caused the recall and, likewise, Zheng Ge ceased paying us. During the year ended January 31, 2017, we recorded a reduction of accounts receivable of $0.1 million, which was deemed to be uncollectable, and a reduction of accounts payable of $0.6 million that were due from and due to Zheng Ge, a former supplier of the Company (see Note 3).
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions, improvements, and major renewals are capitalized; maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the property and equipment. The expected useful lives of office furnishings and fixtures are five to seven years, and of equipment and purchased software are two to five years. The expected useful life of leasehold improvements, which is included in office furnishings and fixtures, is the lesser of the term of the lease or five years. We evaluate property and equipment for impairment when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for our overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If such assets are identified to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. We did not experience any changes in our business or circumstances to require an impairment analysis nor did we recognize any impairment charges during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the consolidated balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future lax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Management evaluates the need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based upon the amount of existing temporary differences. the period in which they are expected to be recovered, and expected levels of taxable income. A valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets is established when it is "more likely than not" that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management has determined that a full valuation allowance against the Company's net deferred tax assets is appropriate (see Note 7). We apply the uncertain tax provisions of the Income Taxes Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”), which interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The topic also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. During fiscal 2017, we recorded net income of approximately $0.8 million and recorded income tax expense of $5,000, which represents the minimum tax due in the state of California. The net deferred tax asset of $16.4 million at January 31, 2017, continues to be fully reserved. During fiscal 2016, we recorded a net loss of approximately $1.3 million and recorded income tax expense of $0, which represents the minimum tax due in the state of California. The net deferred tax asset of $16.7 million at January 31, 2016, $1.1 million of which relates to net operating losses created in fiscal 2016, continued to be fully reserved.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the dilutive effect of potential common stock, which for us consists solely of stock awards. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution that would result from the exercise of all dilutive stock awards outstanding during the period. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method (see Note 9).
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation We grant stock awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units for a fixed number of shares to employees, consultants, and directors with an exercise or grant price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. We account for stock-based compensation using the modified prospective method, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Legal expense classification Our legal expenses are classified in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The total legal expense included during fiscal 2017 and 2016 was $0.4 million.
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Subsequent Events
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016 - 09"). ASU 2016 - 09 simplifies the accounting for and reporting on share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016 - 09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this update are to be applied differently upon adoption with certain amendments being applied prospectively, retrospectively and under a modified retrospective transition method. We expect to adopt ASU 2016 - 09 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and we do not expect the adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 - 02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016 - 02”), which is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The new guidance will require lessees to recognize on their balance sheets the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases and to disclose key information about the leasing arrangements. ASU 2016 - 02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016 - 02 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. As we do not have any long-term leases, we do not expect the adoption of this updated authoritative guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014 - 15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014 - 15"), which incorporates and expands upon certain principles that currently exist in U.S. auditing standards. ASU 2014 - 15 provides guidance regarding management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual evaluations and sets forth principles for considering the mitigating effect of management's plans. The standard mandates certain disclosures when conditions give rise to substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date. ASU 2014 - 15 is effective for us commencing fiscal year ending January 31, 2017. The adoption of this new standard has not had, and is not expected to have, an impact on our consolidated financial statements. We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, if adopted, would have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Management has evaluated events subsequent to January 31, 2017 through the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for transactions and other events that may require adjustment of and/or disclosure in such financial statements.