Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Status of Non-Vested Equity-Based Awards (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016 $ / shares shares
Carlyle Holdings
Unvested Units
Beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	26,819,112
Granted (in shares) \| shares	0
Vested (in shares) \| shares	8,995,688
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	503,538
Ending balance (in shares) \| shares	17,319,886
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 22.18
Granted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Vested (usd per share) \| $ / shares	22.00
Forfeited (usd per share) \| $ / shares	22.00
Ending balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 22.26
The Carlyle Group, L.P. \| Equity Settled Awards \| Deferred Restricted Common Units
Unvested Units
Beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	18,420,434
Granted (in shares) \| shares	5,619,372
Vested (in shares) \| shares	6,726,993
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	1,243,783
Ending balance (in shares) \| shares	16,069,030
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 24.62
Granted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	11.29
Vested (usd per share) \| $ / shares	25.17
Forfeited (usd per share) \| $ / shares	23.67
Ending balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 19.83
The Carlyle Group, L.P. \| Equity Settled Awards \| Unvested Common Units
Unvested Units
Beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	766,991
Granted (in shares) \| shares	0
Vested (in shares) \| shares	728,080
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	0
Ending balance (in shares) \| shares	38,911
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 27.41
Granted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Vested (usd per share) \| $ / shares	27.71
Forfeited (usd per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Ending balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 21.67
The Carlyle Group, L.P. \| Cash Settled Awards \| Phantom Units
Unvested Units
Beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	6,741
Granted (in shares) \| shares	0
Vested (in shares) \| shares	3,480
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	741
Ending balance (in shares) \| shares	2,520
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 34.58
Granted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Vested (usd per share) \| $ / shares	34.45
Forfeited (usd per share) \| $ / shares	34.39
Ending balance (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 34.81

Units granted under share-based compensation arrangement other than as part of the initial public offering.

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Weighted-average grant date fair value of units granted under share-based compensation arrangement other than as part of the initial public offering.

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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-Publisher FASB
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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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