Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	May 20, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000941685
Entity Registrant Name	Imageware Systems Inc
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-15757
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0224167
Entity Address, Address Line One	11440 West Bernardo Court, Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92127
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	673-8600
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		347,962,742