Document And Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	0001109448
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	277,847,588
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011