Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 03, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	DATAWATCH CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000792130
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Trading Symbol	DWCH
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,529,549
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 68,247,510