Supplemental Financial Information - Supplemental Financial Position (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	May 08, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 567.1		$ 509.6	$ 616.9	$ 488.1
Cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds	1,646.6		566.6
Restricted cash	34.5		24.6
Restricted cash and securities of Consolidated Funds	36.3		89.2
Accrued performance fees	2,192.5		2,189.1
Investments	881.2		454.9
Investments of Consolidated Funds	24,815.7		19,507.3
Due from affiliates and other receivables, net	190.7		287.0
Due from affiliates and other receivables of Consolidated Funds, net	331.8		287.6
Fixed assets, net	63.6		52.7
Deposits and other	48.4		70.2
Intangible assets, net	691.1		594.9
Deferred tax assets	67.1		18.0
Total assets	31,566.6		24,651.7	17,062.8
Liabilities and partners' capital
Loans payable	886.3		860.9
Subordinated loan payable to affiliate			262.5
Loans payable of Consolidated Funds	13,656.7		9,689.9
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	215.0		203.4
Accrued compensation and benefits	1,318.2		577.9
Due to Carlyle partners			1,015.9
Due to affiliates	332.1		108.5
Deferred revenue	59.4		89.2
Deferred tax liabilities	61.1		48.3
Other liabilities of Consolidated Funds	1,385.8		568.1
Accrued giveback obligations	69.2		136.5
Total liabilities	17,983.8		13,561.1
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	2,887.4		1,923.4
Members' equity			873.1
Partners' capital	235.1
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4.8)		(55.8)
Partners' capital appropriated for Consolidated Funds	838.6		853.7
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	8,264.8		7,496.2
Non-controlling interests in Carlyle Holdings	1,361.7
Total partners' capital	10,695.4	10,039.3	9,167.2	2,198.6	713.6
Total liabilities and partners' capital	31,566.6		24,651.7
Consolidated Operating Entities [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	567.1		509.6
Restricted cash	34.5		24.6
Accrued performance fees	2,204.9		2,219.9
Investments	932.6		517.3
Due from affiliates and other receivables, net	201.5		297.2
Fixed assets, net	63.6		52.7
Deposits and other	44.2		60.7
Intangible assets, net	691.1		594.9
Deferred tax assets	67.1		18.0
Total assets	4,806.6		4,294.9
Liabilities and partners' capital
Loans payable	886.3		860.9
Subordinated loan payable to affiliate			262.5
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	215.0		203.4
Accrued compensation and benefits	1,318.2		577.9
Due to Carlyle partners			1,015.9
Due to affiliates	290.4		71.3
Deferred revenue	57.9		87.3
Deferred tax liabilities	61.1		48.3
Accrued giveback obligations	79.0		136.5
Total liabilities	2,907.9		3,264.0
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	6.0		8.0
Members' equity			879.1
Partners' capital	235.1
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5.0)		(61.8)
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	300.9		205.6
Non-controlling interests in Carlyle Holdings	1,361.7
Total partners' capital	1,892.7		1,022.9
Total liabilities and partners' capital	4,806.6		4,294.9
Consolidated Funds [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents held at Consolidated Funds	1,646.6		566.6
Restricted cash and securities of Consolidated Funds	36.3		89.2
Investments of Consolidated Funds	24,815.7		19,507.3
Due from affiliates and other receivables of Consolidated Funds, net	331.8		287.7
Deposits and other	4.2		9.5
Total assets	26,834.6		20,460.3
Liabilities and partners' capital
Loans payable of Consolidated Funds	13,708.2		9,738.9
Due to Carlyle partners
Due to affiliates	42.1		37.3
Deferred revenue	1.5		1.9
Other liabilities of Consolidated Funds	1,405.0		589.7
Total liabilities	15,156.8		10,367.8
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	2,881.4		1,915.4
Members' equity			22.9
Partners' capital	(4.7)
Partners' capital appropriated for Consolidated Funds	837.2		863.6
Non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	7,963.9		7,290.6
Total partners' capital	8,796.4		8,177.1
Total liabilities and partners' capital	26,834.6		20,460.3
Eliminations [Member]
Assets
Accrued performance fees	(12.4)		(30.8)
Investments	(51.4)		(62.4)
Due from affiliates and other receivables, net	(10.8)		(10.2)
Due from affiliates and other receivables of Consolidated Funds, net			(0.1)
Total assets	(74.6)		(103.5)
Liabilities and partners' capital
Loans payable of Consolidated Funds	(51.5)		(49.0)
Due to Carlyle partners
Due to affiliates	(0.4)		(0.1)
Other liabilities of Consolidated Funds	(19.2)		(21.6)
Accrued giveback obligations	(9.8)
Total liabilities	(80.9)		(70.7)
Members' equity			(28.9)
Partners' capital	4.7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0.2		6.0
Partners' capital appropriated for Consolidated Funds	1.4		(9.9)
Total partners' capital	6.3		(32.8)
Total liabilities and partners' capital	$ (74.6)		$ (103.5)