Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 01, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FORWARD INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000038264
Trading Symbol	ford
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,105,185
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1