<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>125</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>334</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>29</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Procurement Contract and Research Agreements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ProcurementContractAndResearchAgreements</Role>
      <ShortName>Procurement Contract and Research Agreements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/Inventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Restructuring Charges</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/RestructuringCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Charges</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Inventory Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/InventoryInventoryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Restructuring charges (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/RestructuringChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring charges (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Operating Lease Commitments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesOperatingLeaseCommitmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Operating Lease Commitments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Accounts Receivable, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Net Loss Per Share) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccountsReceivablePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndNetLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Accounts Receivable, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Net Loss Per Share) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Anti-dilutive Securities Exluded from Calculation of Diluted Loss per Share) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAntiDilutiveSecuritiesExludedFromCalculationOfDilutedLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Anti-dilutive Securities Exluded from Calculation of Diluted Loss per Share) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402406 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405401 - Disclosure - Procurement Contract and Research Agreements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/ProcurementContractAndResearchAgreementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Procurement Contract and Research Agreements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406401 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Plans and Stock Options) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlansStockPlansAndStockOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Plans and Stock Options) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Appreciation Rights) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlansStockAppreciationRightsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Appreciation Rights) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlansRestrictedStockAwardsAndRestrictedStockUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Warrants) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/StockCompensationPlansWarrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Warrants) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412401 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/InventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Restructuring charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/RestructuringChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring charges (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.siga.com/role/FinancialInformationByQuarterUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information by Quarter (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_DeferredCosts had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408402 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Stock Plans and Stock Options) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2411402 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418402 - Disclosure - Restructuring charges (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>siga-20131231.xml</File>
    <File>siga-20131231.xsd</File>
    <File>siga-20131231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>siga-20131231_def.xml</File>
    <File>siga-20131231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>siga-20131231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
