Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
NET REVENUES	$ 59,171		$ 63,699		$ 118,904		$ 124,850
COST OF REVENUES	28,089	[1]	28,565	[1]	56,742	[1]	56,540	[1]
GROSS PROFIT	31,082		35,134		62,162		68,310
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development	13,501	[1]	13,920	[1]	27,272	[1]	27,244	[1]
Selling, general and administrative	11,433	[1]	12,179	[1]	23,294	[1]	23,339	[1]
Total operating expenses	24,934		26,099		50,566		50,583
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	6,148		9,035		11,596		17,727
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	126		187		252		388
Interest expense	0		(42)		0		(47)
Other expense, net	(52)		(123)		(143)		(123)
Total other income, net	74		22		109		218
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	6,222		9,057		11,705		17,945
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	1,187		3,026		1,425		6,007
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS	5,035		6,027		10,280		11,934
NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic (Per Share)	$ 0.09		$ 0.10		$ 0.18		$ 0.20
Diluted (Per Share)	$ 0.09		$ 0.10		$ 0.17		$ 0.19
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE	$ 0.0425		$ 0.040		$ 0.0425		$ 0.8000
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN COMPUTING PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic (Shares)	58,303		60,217		58,287		60,533
Diluted (Shares)	59,007		60,837		59,021		61,219
NET INCOME	5,035		6,031		10,280		11,938
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	$ 0		$ (4)		$ 0		$ (4)

[1] Share-based compensation expense included in:Cost of revenues$270 $282 $514 $566Research and development652 812 1,304 1,557Selling, general and administrative772 815 1,495 1,568