Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 20, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SCON
Entity Registrant Name	SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895665
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,283,609
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 4.5