Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 12, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-22904
Entity Registrant Name	PARKERVISION INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000914139
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
Entity Tax Identification Number	59-2971472
Entity Address, Address Line One	4446-1A Hendricks Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 354
Entity Address, City or Town	Jacksonville
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	32207
City Area Code	904
Local Phone Number	732-6100
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		52,878,723
Amendment Flag	false