Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Entity File Number	001-35347
Entity Registrant Name	Clovis Oncology, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	90-0475355
Entity Address, Address Line One	5500 Flatiron Parkway, Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Boulder
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80301
City Area Code	303
Local Phone Number	625-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CLVS
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		88,203,011
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0001466301
Amendment Flag	false