Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund (Standard and Service Class) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize real return, consistent with preservation of real capital and prudent investment management.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares. This table does not reflect any variable contract expenses. If variable contract expenses were included, the expenses shown would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 82% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	82.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	Other Expenses were restated to reflect the current fee structure of the fund.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to the average net assets appearing in the Financial Highlights table which reflects only the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include AFFE.
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated if you invest $10,000 in the Fund’s shares. The example also assumes that the Fund provides a return of 5% a year and that operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this example. This example does not reflect any variable contract expenses. If variable contract expenses were included, the expenses shown would be higher. The results apply whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period.
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 80% of its net assets in inflation-protected debt securities (or securities with similar economic characteristics). These securities include inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S., non-U.S. governments, and their agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund invests only in securities rated investment grade at the time of purchase by a third-party rating agency or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality. Up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in sectors outside the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Barclays World Government 1-10 year Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD hedged (the “Index”). The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration (a measure of interest rate sensitivity) that is within +/ – 20% of the duration of the Index. Under normal circumstances, the Fund generally invests at least 40% of its net assets in debt obligations of foreign governments, and their agencies or instrumentalities. This amount may be reduced to 20% if market conditions for these investments or specific foreign markets are deemed unfavorable. The Fund may invest in derivatives such as futures (including bond and interest rate futures) and forward contracts, including forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund may enter into derivatives for investment purposes, for risk management (hedging) purposes, and to increase flexibility. The portfolio managers may hedge any portion of the non-U.S. dollar denominated securities in the Fund to the U.S. dollar. The Fund’s investment strategy may involve the frequent trading of portfolio securities. This may cause the Fund to incur higher transaction costs (which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance). The Fund may hold cash or cash equivalents in order to shorten the duration of the portfolio or to otherwise implement the Fund’s investment strategy or for temporary defensive purposes. The Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and as a result may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer than a diversified fund.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	All mutual funds carry risk.  Accordingly, loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. Here are specific principal risks of investing in the Fund: Market Risk. The value of portfolio investments may decline. As a result, your investment in a fund may decline in value and you could lose money. Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e., debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations. Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt obligation will be unable or unwilling to make interest or principal payments on time. Credit risk is often gauged by “credit ratings” assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). A decrease in an issuer’s credit rating may cause a decline in the value of the issuer’s debt obligations. However, credit ratings may not reflect the issuer’s current financial condition or events since the security was last rated by a rating agency. Credit ratings also may be influenced by rating agency conflicts of interest or based on historical data that are no longer applicable or accurate. Prepayment/Call Risk. Debt securities are subject to prepayment risk when the issuer can “call” the security, or repay principal, in whole or in part, prior to the security’s maturity. When the Fund reinvests the prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the called security. Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. The value of mortgage-backed securities (commercial and residential) may fluctuate significantly in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of falling interest rates, underlying mortgages may be paid early, lowering the potential total return (pre-payment risk). During periods of rising interest rates, the rate at which the underlying mortgages are pre-paid may slow unexpectedly, causing the maturity of the mortgage-backed securities to increase and their value to decline (maturity extension risk). Foreign Investments Risk. Foreign investments have additional risks that are not present when investing in U.S. investments. Foreign currency fluctuations or economic or financial instability could cause the value of foreign investments to fluctuate. Additionally, foreign investments include the risk of loss from foreign government or political actions including; for example, the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions, or from problems in registration, settlement or custody. Investing in foreign investments may involve risks resulting from the reduced availability of public information concerning issuers. Foreign investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than comparable investments in U.S. issuers. Foreign Currency Risk. Foreign currency risk is the risk that the U.S. dollar value of foreign investments may be negatively affected by changes in foreign (non-U.S.) currency rates. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. In addition, currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could negatively affect the value of the Fund’s foreign investments, if currencies do not perform as expected. Currency management strategies also may reduce the Fund’s ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Currency Management Strategy Risk. Currency management strategies, including cross-hedging, may substantially change exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses if currencies do not perform as expected. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that they reduce exposure to currency risks, also may reduce the ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Furthermore, there may not be perfect correlation between the amount of exposure to a particular currency and the amount of securities in the portfolio denominated in that currency. Currency rates may also fluctuate significantly, reducing returns. Inflation Indexed Bond Risk. The value of inflation-indexed bonds generally changes in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates (i.e., non-inflation adjusted interest rates) and the rate of inflation. If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward and the interest payable will be reduced. The adjusted principal value of an inflation-related bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, the value of inflation indexed bonds may decrease. Inflation-indexed securities may not be protected from short-term increases in inflation. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives, such as futures, forwards, options and swaps, involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives prices can be volatile and may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions. Some derivatives are particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, there may be imperfect correlation between the price of the derivatives contract and the price of the underlying securities. Other risks include the potential inability to terminate or sell derivative positions. Further, losses could result if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised. Derivative instruments may be “leveraged”, which may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses. Futures Risk. A futures contract is considered a derivative because it derives its value from the price of the underlying security or financial index. The prices of futures contracts can be volatile, and futures contracts may be illiquid. In addition, there may be imperfect or even negative correlation between the price of the futures contracts and the price of the underlying securities. Losses on futures contracts may exceed the amount invested. Portfolio Turnover Risk. High portfolio turnover (active trading) results in higher transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, when a fund buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). High portfolio turnover generally results in correspondingly greater expenses, potentially higher taxable income, and may adversely affect performance. Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that securities holdings which are considered to be illiquid may be difficult to value. Illiquid holdings also may be difficult to sell, both at the time or price desired. Liquidity risk also may result from increased shareholder redemptions in the Fund. Furthermore, a potential rise in interest rates may result in a period of Fund volatility and increased redemptions, heightening liquidity risk. In addition, liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market for fixed income securities, as well the reduced capacity of dealers to make a market for such securities. When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk. A fund may purchase or sell securities that it is entitled to receive on a when issued basis. When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”) Risk. ETFs generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they hold, although lack of liquidity in ETF shares could result in the price of the ETF being more volatile. Non-Diversification Risk. When a mutual fund is non-diversified, it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer than a diversified fund. Therefore, a fund’s value may decrease because of a single investment or a small number of investments.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	All mutual funds carry risk.  Accordingly, loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-Diversification Risk. When a mutual fund is non-diversified, it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer than a diversified fund. Therefore, a fund’s value may decrease because of a single investment or a small number of investments.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Fund Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of choosing to invest in the Fund. The information shows: (a) how the Fund's Standard Class investment results have varied from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Fund's Standard and Service Classes for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund's Standard Class shares, but does not reflect the impact of variable contract expenses. If it did, returns would be lower than those shown. Performance in the average annual returns table does not reflect the impact of variable contract expenses. The Fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The information shows: (a) how the Fund's Standard Class investment results have varied from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Fund's Standard and Service Classes for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	The Fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Annual Total Returns (%)
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]	rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads	The bar chart shows performance of the Fund's Standard Class shares, but does not reflect the impact of variable contract expenses. If it did, returns would be lower than those shown.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	During the periods shown in the above chart, the Fund’s highest return for a quarter occurred in the third quarter of 2011 at: 4.39%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the second quarter of 2013 at: (6.57%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.42%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.08%	[1]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (AFFE)	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.51%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 52
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	162
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	283
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	636
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	52
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	162
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	283
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 636
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	12.14%
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	6.51%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	(8.37%)
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	3.07%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(2.82%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	3.57%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	4.39%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(6.57%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.57%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	0.24%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.28%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 03, 2010
LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.42%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.08%	[1]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (AFFE)	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 77
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	242
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	420
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	937
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	77
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	242
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	420
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 937
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.30%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.01%)
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.02%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 03, 2010
LVIP BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Fund | Bloomberg Barclays World Government 1-10 year Inflation-Linked Bond Index USD hedged (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.45%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	1.47%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.37%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 03, 2010

[1] Other Expenses were restated to reflect the current fee structure of the fund.

[2] (including AFFE)

[3] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to the average net assets appearing in the Financial Highlights table which reflects only the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include AFFE.