| Cover - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2021 | Feb. 25, 2022 | Jun. 30, 2021 | |
| Cover [Abstract] | |||
| Document Type | 10-K/A | ||
| Amendment Flag | true | ||
| Amendment Description | Amendment No. 2 | ||
| Document Annual Report | true | ||
| Document Transition Report | false | ||
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2021 | ||
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2021 | ||
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
| Entity File Number | 001-35737 | ||
| Entity Registrant Name | NORTHWEST BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001072379 | ||
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 94-3306718 | ||
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | ||
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 4800 Montgomery Lane | ||
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 800 | ||
| Entity Address, City or Town | Bethesda | ||
| Entity Address, State or Province | MD | ||
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 20814 | ||
| City Area Code | 240 | ||
| Local Phone Number | 497-9024 | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | ||
| Trading Symbol | NWBO | ||
| Security Exchange Name | NONE | ||
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | ||
| Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
| Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
| Entity Small Business | true | ||
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
| Entity Shell Company | false | ||
| Entity Public Float | $ 1,212,762,000 | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 960,022,117 | ||
| ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | true | ||
| Auditor Firm ID | 677 | ||
| Auditor Name | Cherry Bekaert LLP | ||
| Auditor Location | Tampa, Florida |
