Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Entity File Number	001-35668
Entity Registrant Name	INTERCEPT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-3868459
Entity Address, Address Line One	10 Hudson Yards, 37th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10001
City Area Code	646
Local Phone Number	747-1000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	ICPT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	32,937,431
Entity Central Index Key	0001270073
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Amendment Flag	false