Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 item	Dec. 31, 2010 Predecessor	Apr. 02, 2011 Acquisition of Qwest CenturyLink
Stockholder's equity (deficit)
Number of CenturyLink shares that shareholders received for each share of common stock owned				0.1664
Common stock, shares issued	1,000	1,000	1,792,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,000	1,000	1,764,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Number of deferred compensation plans for which rabbi trusts were established		2
Number of deferred compensation plans		4
Common stock held in rabbi trust (in shares)			22,000
Cost of common stock held in rabbi trust			$ 1
Treasury stock acquired to cover the withholding taxes due upon vesting of stock awards (in shares)			18,779,000