CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBER'S/STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
MEMBER'S EQUITY \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Cumulative net effect of adoption of ASU, tax	$ (3)

Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption, Tax

No definition available.

Name:	lvlt_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoptionTax
Namespace Prefix:	lvlt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant