Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	May 08, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-37721
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-4405754
Entity Address, Address Line One	767 Third Avenue,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	6th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10017
City Area Code	332
Local Phone Number	236-8500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	ACTG
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,551,798
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000934549
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Registrant Name	Acacia Research Corporation