Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund (Standard and Service Class) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”), is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
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 77% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	77.00%
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 assets in equity securities of medium-cap companies. The sub-adviser defines medium-cap companies as companies with market capitalizations equal to those within the universe of the Russell Midcap® Value Index and/or between $1 billion and $20 billion at the time of purchase. In implementing its strategies, the sub-adviser’s investments are primarily in common stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs) and while such investments are primarily in medium-cap companies, as described above, the sub-adviser may also invest in equity securities of companies with other capitalizations, including large-cap. Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation (“adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The adviser has selected JP Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“JPMorgan”) to serve as the Fund’s sub-adviser. JPMorgan is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets that the adviser allocates to each investment strategy. The adviser may change the allocation at any time, in its sole discretion and the percentage of the Fund’s assets allocated to each strategy may change over time. For the “mid cap value” strategy, JPMorgan employs a bottom-up approach to stock selection, constructing portfolios based on company fundamentals, quantitative screening and proprietary fundamental analysis. JPMorgan looks for quality companies, which appear to be undervalued and to have the potential to grow intrinsic value per share. Quality companies generally have a sustainable competitive position, relatively lower levels of business cyclicality, high returns on invested capital and strong, experienced management teams. For the “intrepid value” strategy, JPMorgan invests primarily in a broad portfolio of equity securities that JPMorgan believes have characteristics such as attractive valuations, high quality and/or strong momentum that should lead to relative outperformance. In identifying high quality securities, JPMorgan looks for profitable companies with sustainable earnings and disciplined management. In identifying securities that have strong momentum, JPMorgan looks for securities which have prices and/or earnings that have been increasing and that JPMorgan believes will continue to increase. For the “intrepid mid cap” strategy, JPMorgan invests primarily in a broad portfolio of equity securities that JPMorgan believes are attractive based on characteristics such as valuation and momentum. In identifying securities that have attractive momentum characteristics, JPMorgan looks for securities which have prices that have been increasing and that JPMorgan believes will continue to increase. The adviser intends to allocate approximately 70% of the portion of the Fund’s assets not subject to the overlay to the “mid cap value” strategy, approximately 15% of the portion of the Fund’s assets not subject to the overlay to the “intrepid value” strategy, and approximately 15% of the portion of the Fund’s assets not subject to the overlay to the “intrepid mid cap” strategy. Such allocations are subject to change at the discretion of the adviser. Managed Volatility Strategy. The Fund’s adviser has retained SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM” or “overlay manager”) as sub-adviser to the Fund to implement the managed volatility strategy within the parameters stated below. This managed volatility strategy consists of selling (short) positions in exchange-traded futures contracts to manage overall portfolio volatility and seek to reduce the impact on the Fund’s portfolio of significant market downturns during periods of high volatility. SSGA FM selects individual futures contracts on equity indices of domestic and foreign markets that it believes are highly correlated to the Fund’s equity exposure. Although up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be used by SSGA FM to implement the managed volatility strategy, under normal market conditions it is expected that less than 10% of the Fund’s net assets will be used for the strategy. SSGA FM uses a proprietary volatility forecasting model to manage the assets allocated to this strategy. The managed volatility strategy is separate and distinct from any riders or features of your insurance contract. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a financial instrument for a set price on a future date. A “short position” would represent a contractual obligation to sell an equity index at a future date at a particular price. In contrast, a “long position” would represent a contractual obligation to buy an equity index at a future date at a particular price. A short position is generally used to protect against the possible decline in value of financial instruments. SSGA FM will regularly adjust the level of exchange-traded futures contracts to seek to manage the Fund’s overall net risk level, i.e., volatility. “Volatility” is a statistical measure of the dispersion of the Fund’s investment returns. SSGA FM’s investment in exchange-traded futures and their resulting costs could limit the upside participation of the Fund in strong appreciating markets relative to un-hedged funds. In situations of extreme market volatility, the exchange-traded futures could potentially reduce the Fund’s net economic exposure to equity securities to a substantial degree. The amount of exchange-traded futures may fluctuate frequently based upon market conditions. SSGA FM may take a long position in futures for the purpose of providing an equity exposure generally comparable to the holdings of cash. This allows the Fund to be fully invested in the market by turning cash into an equity position while still maintaining the liquidity provided by the cash. The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and interpretations under the 1940 Act impose certain limitations on the Fund’s ability to use leverage.
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. 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. 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. Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Risk. Investing in real estate securities (including REITs) is subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership and development of real estate. These risks include declines in real estate values, fluctuations in rental income (due in part to vacancies and rates), increases in operating costs and property taxes, increases in financing costs or inability to procure financing, potential environmental liabilities and changes in zoning laws and other regulations. REITs whose underlying properties are concentrated in a particular industry or geographic region are subject to risks affecting such industries and regions. The securities of REITs involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements because of interest rate changes, economic conditions and other factors. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. 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. Momentum Style Risk. Momentum investing involves buying securities that have had recent positive returns. These securities may be more volatile than a broad cross-section of securities. Risk Management Strategy Risk. The success of the Fund’s risk management strategy depends in part on the overlay manager’s ability to effectively and efficiently implement its risk forecasts and to manage the strategy for the Fund’s benefit. The risk management strategy may depend upon one or more of the overlay manager’s proprietary forecasting models and information and data from one or more third parties to support the proprietary forecasting models. There is no guarantee that the models or the data the models are based on will be accurate or that the Fund can achieve or maintain optimal risk targets. The Fund’s performance may be negatively impacted in certain underlying markets as a result of reliance on these models. The Fund’s performance may also be impacted by the Fund’s use of short futures positions to implement the risk management strategy. Certain markets could negatively impact the success of the risk management strategy, such as rapidly and unpredictably changing markets, “v-shaped” markets (a sharp market sell-off followed by a strong rally retracing such sell-off), or other extreme or disrupted markets, each of which could cause the Fund to be invested in the market when it declines or to be uninvested when the market appreciates. Leverage Risk. Investment in certain derivatives, including certain futures contracts, may have the economic effect of creating financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure, as well as the potential for greater loss. Losses on derivatives may exceed the amount invested. 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. 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. Hedging Risk. The success of a hedging strategy cannot be guaranteed. Effective hedging requires correctly assessing the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged, as well as continual recalculation, readjustment, and execution of hedges in an efficient and timely manner. For example, futures contract short positions may not provide an effective hedge because changes in futures contract prices may not track those of the underlying securities or indices they are intended to hedge.
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 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 2009 at: 21.70%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008 at: (24.40%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
Performance Table Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund’s performance prior to September 21, 2012 does not reflect the impact of the managed volatility strategy which was implemented on September 21, 2012 and that is currently used by the Fund.
LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.71%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.09%	[1]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (AFFE)	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.81%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 83
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	259
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	451
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,005
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	83
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	259
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	451
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,005
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	1.80%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(33.95%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	24.65%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	24.77%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(1.77%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	13.76%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	24.17%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	8.11%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(7.74%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	10.01%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	21.70%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(24.40%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	10.01%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	9.16%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	4.76%
LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.71%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.09%	[1]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (AFFE)	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.06%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 108
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	338
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	586
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,298
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	108
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	338
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	586
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,298
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	9.72%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.89%
Life of class	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.32%	[4]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2007
LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund | Russell Midcap® Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	20.00%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	15.70%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	7.59%
LVIP JPMorgan Select Mid Cap Value Managed Volatility Fund | Russell Midcap® Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	20.00%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	15.70%
Life of class	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.87%	[4]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2007

[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.

[4] Since April 30, 2007