Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP American Global Small Capitalization Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP American Global Small Capitalization Fund (Service Class II) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP American Global Small Capitalization Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term growth of capital.
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 Service Class II 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)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	April 30, 2018
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The Master Fund (defined below) 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 Master Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	40.00%
Expenses Represent Both Master and Feeder [Text]	rr_ExpensesRepresentBothMasterAndFeeder	The amounts set forth under “Management Fee” and “Other Expenses” reflect the aggregate expenses of the Fund and the Master Fund.
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	Other Expenses were restated to reflect the current fee structure of the fund. The Expense Reimbursement was restated to reflect the current expense limitation of the fund.
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. This example reflects the net operating expenses with expense reimbursement for the one-year contractual period and the total operating expenses without expense reimbursement for the remaining time periods shown below. 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 operates as a “feeder fund” which means that the Fund does not buy investment securities directly. Instead, it invests all of its assets in a separate underlying mutual fund (“Master Fund” or “underlying fund”), which in turn purchases investment securities. The Fund has essentially the same investment objective and strategies as its corresponding Master Fund. The Fund invests all of its assets in Class 1 shares of the Master Fund, the Global Small Capitalization Fund, a series of American Funds Insurance Series®. The investment objective of the Master Fund is to provide you with long term growth of capital. The Master Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in growth-oriented common stocks and other equity type securities of companies with small market capitalizations, measured at the time of purchase. However, the Master Fund’s holdings of small capitalization stocks may fall below the 80% threshold due to subsequent market action. The Master Fund’s investment adviser currently defines “small market capitalization” companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $4.0 billion or less. The Master Fund’s investment adviser has periodically reevaluated and adjusted this definition and may continue to do so in the future. The Master Fund seeks to invest globally and allocates its assets among securities of companies domiciled in various countries, including the United States and countries with emerging markets (but in no fewer than three countries). Under normal market conditions, the Master Fund will invest significantly in issuers domiciled outside the United States (i.e., at least 40% of its net assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Master Fund’s investment adviser, in which case the Master Fund would invest at least 30% of its net assets in issuers outside the United States). The Master Fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, to make decisions about the Master Fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the Master Fund's investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The Master Fund's investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the Master Fund's investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. The Master Fund’s investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing assets. Under this approach, the portfolio is divided into segments managed by individual managers who decide how their respective segments will be invested. For additional information regarding the Master Fund's principal investment strategies, please refer to its prospectus, which is delivered together with this prospectus.
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. Because the Fund invests its assets in shares of an underlying fund, the Fund is exposed to the same investments as those made by the underlying fund. By investing in the Fund, therefore, you indirectly assume the same types of risks as investing directly in the underlying fund. The Fund's investment performance is affected by the underlying fund's investment performance, and the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective depends, in large part, on the underlying fund's ability to meet its investment objective. The following risks reflect the Fund's principal risks, which include the underlying fund's principal risks. 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. Small-Cap Companies Risk. The value of securities issued by small-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt market movements and may involve greater risks than investments in larger companies. Medium-Cap Companies Risk. Securities issued by medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt market movements and may involve greater risks than investments in larger companies. These less developed, lesser-known companies may experience greater risks than those normally associated with larger companies. This is due to, among other things, the greater business risks of smaller size and limited product lines, markets, distribution channels, and financial and managerial resources. Growth Stocks Risk. Growth stocks, due to their relatively high market valuations, typically have been more volatile than value stocks. Growth stocks may not pay dividends, or may pay lower dividends, than value stocks and may be more adversely affected in a down market. Value Stocks Risk. Value stocks tend to be inexpensive relative to their earnings or assets compared to other types of stocks, such as growth stocks. Value stocks can continue to be inexpensive for long periods of time, may not ever realize their potential value, and may even go down in price. 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. 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. Emerging Markets Risk. Companies located in emerging markets tend to be less liquid, have more volatile prices, and have significant potential for loss in comparison to investments in developed markets. Regional Risk. The Fund will generally have more exposure to the specific market, currency, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other risks in the regions or countries in which it invests. As a result, the Fund could experience substantial illiquidity, volatility or reduction in the value of its investments, as compared to a more geographically-diversified fund. Depository Receipts Risk. Depository receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs). Depository receipts are subject to the risks usually associated with foreign securities, including risks associated with investing in the particular country, including the political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events occurring in the country, as well as fluctuations in its currency. In addition, ADR holders may not have all the legal rights of shareholders and may experience difficulty in receiving shareholder communications.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	All mutual funds carry risk. Accordingly, loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund.
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 Service Class II investment results have varied from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Fund's Service Class II for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund began operations on July 1, 2010. For periods prior to this date, the performance shown reflects the performance of Class 1 shares of the Master Fund, adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses of the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund's Service Class II 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 Service Class II investment results have varied from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Fund's Service Class II 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 Service Class II 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 first quarter of 2012 at: 14.17%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the third quarter of 2011 at: (22.91%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP American Global Small Capitalization Fund | Service Class II
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.70%	[1]
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.55%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.19%	[1],[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.44%	[3]
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.05%)	[4],[5]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.39%	[6]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 142
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	451
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	782
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,720
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	142
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	451
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	782
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,720
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	20.93%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(53.69%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	60.58%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	22.58%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(19.48%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	17.76%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	27.79%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	1.69%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(0.15%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	1.68%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	14.17%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(22.91%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.68%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	9.21%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	3.27%
LVIP American Global Small Capitalization Fund | MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index (net dividends) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	11.59%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	11.29%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	5.66%

[1] The amounts set forth under “Management Fee” and “Other Expenses” reflect the aggregate expenses of the Fund and the Master Fund.

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

[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 the fees of the Master Fund.

[4] Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation (the “adviser”) has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent that the Other Expenses of the Fund exceed 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Service Class II of the Fund. The agreement will continue at least through April 30, 2018 and cannot be terminated before that date without the mutual agreement of the Fund’s board of trustees and the adviser.

[5] The Expense Reimbursement was restated to reflect the current expense limitation of the fund.

[6] (After Expense Reimbursement)