Organization and Description of Business - Common Stock (Details)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017 class shares
Common Stock
Number of classes of common stock \| class	2
Class A common stock
Common Stock
Economic interests/rights (as a percent)	100.00%
Votes per share entitled to holders	1
Class B common stock
Common Stock
Economic interests/rights (as a percent)	0.00%
Votes per share entitled to holders	1
Pre-IPO Owners
Common Stock
Ratio in which JEH Units and Class B common stock are exchanged for Class A common stock	1
JEH \| Class B common stock
Common Stock
Number of units held (in shares)	29,823,927
JEH \| Jones Energy, Inc.
Common Stock
Number of units held (in shares)	66,649,057
JEH \| Pre-IPO Owners
Common Stock
Number of units held (in shares)	29,823,927

Represents the number of classes of common stock of the entity.

No definition available.

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Represents the ratio in which units and Class B common stock is exchanged for another class of common stock.

No definition available.

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Represents the economic interests, as a percent, entitled to the stockholders.

No definition available.

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Represents the ratio of the number of votes per share entitled to stockholders.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
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The number of units of an entity held by a shareholder or group of shareholders.

No definition available.

Name:	jone_OwnershipInterestNumberOfUnits
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

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