| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 095 - Disclosure - Note 17 - Segment and Geographic Information - Long Lived Assets by Geographic Region (Details) (http://www.monolithicpower.com/20161231/role/statement-note-17-segment-and-geographic-information-long-lived-assets-by-geographic-region-details) |
| Table | Statement [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001280452 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Scenario [Axis] | Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] |
| Statement [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | |||||||||||
| Geographical [Axis] | Geographical [Axis] | |||||||||||
| UNITED STATES | CHINA | BERMUDA | TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA | Other Region [Member] | Geographical [Domain] | UNITED STATES | CHINA | BERMUDA | TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA | Other Region [Member] | Geographical [Domain] | |
Long lived assets by region | ||||||||||||