Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 4,004	$ 4,892	$ 14,284		$ 16,830
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on investments	39	57	315		226
Reclassification adjustment for a realized loss on investment included in net income	0	0	26	[1]	0
Income taxes	14	22	121		87
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	25	35	220		139
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	4,029	4,927	14,504		16,969
Less: comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	(9)	0		(13)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MICREL, INCORPORATED SHAREHOLDERS	$ 4,029	$ 4,918	$ 14,504		$ 16,956

[1] For the nine months ended September 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.