Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
NET REVENUES	$ 58,169		$ 62,928		$ 177,073		$ 187,778
COST OF REVENUES	28,698	[1]	29,661	[1]	85,440	[1]	86,201	[1]
GROSS PROFIT	29,471		33,267		91,633		101,577
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development	14,055	[1]	15,341	[1]	41,327	[1]	42,585	[1]
Selling, general and administrative	11,184	[1]	11,847	[1]	34,478	[1]	35,186	[1]
Total operating expenses	25,239		27,188		75,805		77,771
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	4,232		6,079		15,828		23,806
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	121		166		373		554
Interest expense	0		47		0		0
Other income (expense), net	(87)		2		(230)		(121)
Total other income, net	34		215		143		433
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	4,266		6,294		15,971		24,239
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	262		1,402		1,687		7,409
NET INCOME	4,004		4,892		14,284		16,830
LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	0		(9)		0		(13)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS	$ 4,004		$ 4,883		$ 14,284		$ 16,817
NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic (Per Share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.08		$ 0.25		$ 0.28
Diluted (Per Share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.08		$ 0.24		$ 0.28
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE	$ 0.05		$ 0.040		$ 0.0925		$ 0.12
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN COMPUTING PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic (Shares)	57,752		59,242		58,107		60,096
Diluted (Shares)	58,440		59,889		58,826		60,774

[1] Share-based compensation expense included in:Cost of revenues$270 $274 $784 $840Research and development704 646 2,008 2,203Selling, general and administrative789 719 2,284 2,287