| Document and Entity Information - shares | 9 Months Ended | |
| Sep. 30, 2018 | Oct. 26, 2018 | |
| Document And Entity Information [Abstract] | ||
| Document Type | 10-Q/A | |
| Amendment Flag | true | |
| Amendment Description | corrected shares amount | |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 30, 2018 | |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,018 | |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q3 | |
| Trading Symbol | IMMR | |
| Entity Registrant Name | IMMERSION CORP | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 1,058,811 | |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |
| Entity Filer Category | Accelerated Filer | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | |
| Entity Small Business | false | |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 30,803,244 |
