Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	May 01, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2024
Entity File Number	1-39270
Entity Registrant Name	Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	75-2504748
Entity Address, Address Line One	10713 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 800
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77064
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	765-7100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	PTEN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		401,701,388
Entity Central Index Key	0000889900
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1