v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 03, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name Pixelworks, Inc.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001040161  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   37,543,369