Aptose Biosciences Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 10 - Stock-based Compensation - Vesting Terms of Options Granted (Details) (Parentheticals)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Options with Three Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage	50.00%	50.00%
Options with Three Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage	25.00%	25.00%
Options with Three Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Vesting percentage	25.00%	25.00%
Options with Four Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Vesting percentage	50.00%	50.00%
Options with Four Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Vesting percentage	16.67%	16.67%
Options with Four Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Vesting percentage	16.67%	16.67%
Options with Four Year Vesting [Member] \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Four [Member]
Vesting percentage	16.67%	16.67%