Earnings Per Common Unit - Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Unit (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The Carlyle Group L.P.Basic	$ 12.0	$ 18.6	$ (10.3)	$ 20.3	$ 20.3
Incremental net income from assumed exchange of Carlyle Holdings partnership units				$ 87,100,000
Total				$ 20,300,000
Weighted-average common units outstanding, Basic				42,562,928	42,562,928
Net income per common unit, Basic	$ 0.28	$ 0.43	$ (0.26)	$ 0.48	$ 0.48
Net income attributable to The Carlyle Group L.P.Diluted	$ 12.0	$ 18.6	$ (10.3)	$ 20.3	$ 20.3
Incremental net income from assumed exchange of Carlyle Holdings partnership units				$ 87,100,000
Total				$ 107,400,000
Weighted-average common units outstanding, Diluted				259,698,987	259,698,987
Net income per common Unit, Diluted	$ 0.25	$ 0.40	$ (0.26)	$ 0.41	$ 0.41