Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 5,035	$ 6,031	$ 10,280		$ 11,938
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on investments	(107)	109	276		169
Reclassification adjustment for a realized loss on investment included in net income	0	0	26	[1]	0
Income taxes (benefits)	(32)	42	107		65
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(75)	67	195		104
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	4,960	6,098	10,475		12,042
Less: comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	4	0		4
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS	$ 4,960	$ 6,094	$ 10,475		$ 12,038

[1] For the six months ended June 30, 2013, a realized loss of $26,000 relating to short term investments was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.