<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>255</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>487</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>86</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1008 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1009 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1010 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1011 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLoansNotesTradeAndOtherReceivablesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1012 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1013 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1014 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1015 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1016 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1017 - Disclosure - Product Warranties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsProductWarrantyDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1018 - Disclosure - Long-term Borrowings</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLongTermDebtTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Borrowings</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1019 - Disclosure - Accrued Severance Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPostemploymentBenefitsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Severance Benefits</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1020 - Disclosure - Common Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1021 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1022 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment Charges</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1023 - Disclosure - Foreign Currency Gain (Loss), Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsForeignCurrencyDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Foreign Currency Gain (Loss), Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1024 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1025 - Disclosure - Geographic and Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic and Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1026 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1027 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsRelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1028 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1029 - Disclosure - Loss per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1030 - Disclosure - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1031 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSubsequentEventsTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1032 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlockPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1033 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1034 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsFairValueDisclosuresTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1035 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLoansNotesTradeAndOtherReceivablesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLoansNotesTradeAndOtherReceivablesDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1036 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1037 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1038 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1039 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1040 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1041 - Disclosure - Product Warranties (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsProductWarrantyDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranties (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsProductWarrantyDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1042 - Disclosure - Long-term Borrowings (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLongTermDebtTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Borrowings (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLongTermDebtTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1043 - Disclosure - Accrued Severance Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPostemploymentBenefitsDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Severance Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPostemploymentBenefitsDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1044 - Disclosure - Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1045 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1046 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsIncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1047 - Disclosure - Geographic and Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic and Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsSegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1048 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1049 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1050 - Disclosure - Loss per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsEarningsPerShareTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1051 - Disclosure - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsQuarterlyFinancialInformationTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1052 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1053 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEstimatedUsefulLivesOfAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1054 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasis</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1055 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Long-term Borrowings (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsScheduleOfFairValueOfLongtermBorrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Long-term Borrowings (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1056 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Long-term Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsScheduleOfFairValueOfLongtermBorrowingsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value of Long-term Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1057 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1058 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableScheduleOfAccountsReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1059 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableScheduleOfChangesInAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1060 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Sales Return Reserve (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableScheduleOfChangesInSalesReturnReserve</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Sales Return Reserve (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1061 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Low Yield Compensation Reserve (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableScheduleOfChangesInLowYieldCompensationReserve</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Low Yield Compensation Reserve (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1062 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1063 - Disclosure - Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesSummaryOfInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1064 - Disclosure - Inventories - Changes in Inventory Reserve (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesChangesInInventoryReserve</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - Changes in Inventory Reserve (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1065 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1066 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1067 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1068 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1069 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses - Summary of Accrued Expenses (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesSummaryOfAccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses - Summary of Accrued Expenses (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1070 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1071 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Details of Derivative Contracts (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetailsOfDerivativeContracts</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Details of Derivative Contracts (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1072 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Outstanding Zero Cost Collar Recorded as Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsFairValuesOfOutstandingZeroCostCollarRecordedAsLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Values of Outstanding Zero Cost Collar Recorded as Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1073 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsOffsettingOfDerivativeLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1074 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsImpactOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnConsolidatedStatementOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Impact of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1075 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1076 - Disclosure - Product Warranties - Schedule of Changes in Accrued Warranty Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureProductWarrantiesScheduleOfChangesInAccruedWarrantyLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Product Warranties - Schedule of Changes in Accrued Warranty Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1077 - Disclosure - Long-term Borrowings - Components of Long-term Borrowings (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermBorrowingsComponentsOfLongtermBorrowings</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Borrowings - Components of Long-term Borrowings (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1078 - Disclosure - Long-term Borrowings - Components of Long-term Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermBorrowingsComponentsOfLongtermBorrowingsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Borrowings - Components of Long-term Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1079 - Disclosure - Long-term Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongtermBorrowingsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1080 - Disclosure - Accrued Severance Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedSeveranceBenefitsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Severance Benefits - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1081 - Disclosure - Accrued Severance Benefits - Changes in Accrued Severance Benefits (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedSeveranceBenefitsChangesInAccruedSeveranceBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Severance Benefits - Changes in Accrued Severance Benefits (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1082 - Disclosure - Accrued Severance Benefits - Future Benefits Payments to Employees (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedSeveranceBenefitsFutureBenefitsPaymentsToEmployees</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Severance Benefits - Future Benefits Payments to Employees (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1083 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommonStockAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1084 - Disclosure - Common Stock - Schedule of Changes in Common Stock (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommonStockScheduleOfChangesInCommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Common Stock - Schedule of Changes in Common Stock (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1085 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1086 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansSummaryOfRestrictedStockUnitActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1087 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansSummaryOfStockOptionActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1088 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Assumptions used in Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model on Weighted Average Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansAssumptionsUsedInBlackScholesOptionPricingModelOnWeightedAverageBasis</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Assumptions used in Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model on Weighted Average Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1089 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Number and Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value of Unvested Stock Options (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansNumberAndWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueOfUnvestedStockOptions</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Number and Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value of Unvested Stock Options (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1090 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment Charges - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAndImpairmentChargesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment Charges - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1091 - Disclosure - Foreign Currency Gain (Loss), Net - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureForeignCurrencyGainLossNetAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Foreign Currency Gain (Loss), Net - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsForeignCurrencyDisclosureTextBlock</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1092 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1093 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1094 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Difference Between Provision for Domestic and Foreign Income Taxes and Amount Calculated by Statutory Tax Rate to Net Income Before Income Taxes (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDifferenceBetweenProvisionForDomesticAndForeignIncomeTaxesAndAmountCalculatedByStatutoryTaxRateToNetIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Difference Between Provision for Domestic and Foreign Income Taxes and Amount Calculated by Statutory Tax Rate to Net Income Before Income Taxes (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1095 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Composition of Net Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSummaryOfCompositionOfNetDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Summary of Composition of Net Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1096 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Changes in Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesChangesInValuationAllowanceForDeferredTaxAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Changes in Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1097 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfTotalAmountsOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1098 - Disclosure - Geographic and Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGeographicAndSegmentInformationAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic and Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1099 - Disclosure - Geographic and Segment Information - Schedule of Operating Segments (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGeographicAndSegmentInformationScheduleOfOperatingSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic and Segment Information - Schedule of Operating Segments (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1100 - Disclosure - Geographic and Segment Information - Net Sales by Region, Based on Location of Products are Billed (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGeographicAndSegmentInformationNetSalesByRegionBasedOnLocationOfProductsAreBilled</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic and Segment Information - Net Sales by Region, Based on Location of Products are Billed (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1101 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1102 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Minimum Aggregate Rental Payments Due Under Non-Cancelable Lease Contracts (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMinimumAggregateRentalPaymentsDueUnderNonCancelableLeaseContracts</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Minimum Aggregate Rental Payments Due Under Non-Cancelable Lease Contracts (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1103 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1104 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlockTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1105 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlockTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1106 - Disclosure - Loss per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLossPerShareScheduleOfComputationOfBasicAndDilutedLossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1107 - Disclosure - Loss per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Loss Per Common Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLossPerShareScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromTheComputationOfLossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from the Computation of Loss Per Common Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1108 - Disclosure - Loss per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLossPerShareAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss per Share - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1109 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Result - Schedule of Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialResultScheduleOfSelectedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Financial Result - Schedule of Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mx-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1110 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.magnachip.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>mx-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>mx-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>mx-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>mx-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>mx-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>mx-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
