<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.4.0.3</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>104</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>215</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>44</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciples</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Goodwill</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/Segments</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Related Party Transaction</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/RelatedPartyTransaction</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transaction</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Software Impairment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SoftwareImpairment</Role>
      <ShortName>Software Impairment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciples</ParentRole>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciples</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosures</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/Segments</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Business Acquisition) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesBusinessAcquisitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Business Acquisition) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Revenue Recognition) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesRevenueRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Revenue Recognition) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402406 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Surcharges reported gross) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesSurchargesReportedGrossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Surcharges reported gross) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPrinciplesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Changes in operating assets and liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresChangesInOperatingAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Changes in operating assets and liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Net cash paid or received) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresNetCashPaidOrReceivedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Net cash paid or received) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Non-cash investing and financing activities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresNonCashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Non-cash investing and financing activities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Amortization expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Amortization expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (5 year Future Amortization ) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssets5YearFutureAmortizationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (5 year Future Amortization ) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/IntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basics) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurementsAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasicsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basics) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Carrying amounts and fair value of the financial instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurementsCarryingAmountsAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Carrying amounts and fair value of the financial instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity (Narratives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity (Narratives) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Stockholder's Equity (Summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquitySummaryOfNonvestedRestrictedStockAwardActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholder's Equity (Summary of nonvested restricted stock award activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/StockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Segments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Segments (Reportable segment revenues) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsReportableSegmentRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Reportable segment revenues) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - Segments (Reconciliation of reportable segment adjusted EBITDA) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsReconciliationOfReportableSegmentAdjustedEbitdaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Reconciliation of reportable segment adjusted EBITDA) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/SegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413401 - Disclosure - Related Party Transaction (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/RelatedPartyTransactionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transaction (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/RelatedPartyTransaction</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - Variable Interest Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Variable Interest Entities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/VariableInterestEntities</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - Software Impairment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SoftwareImpairmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Software Impairment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/SoftwareImpairment</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gciinc-20160331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.gci.net/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.gci.net/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>gciinc-20160331.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20160331.xsd</File>
    <File>gciinc-20160331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20160331_def.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20160331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>gciinc-20160331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
