| Cover | Mar. 23, 2022 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 23, 2022 |
| Entity File Number | 001-37937 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001534525 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 45-2952962 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | NV |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 40 Speen Street |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 102 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Framingham |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 01701 |
| City Area Code | (781) |
| Local Phone Number | 778-7720 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share |
| Trading Symbol | XBIO |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Purchase Warrants | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Purchase Warrants |
| Trading Symbol | XBIOW |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
