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 Scientific Allocation Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation 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 Scientific Allocation Fund (formerly, the LVIP Delaware Foundation® Moderate Allocation Fund) (the “Fund”) is to seek to provide total return.
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)
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 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 148% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	148.00%
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 fee waiver and expense reimbursement for the one-year contractual period and the total operating expenses without fee waiver and 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 follows two investment strategies: a target allocation of 50% equity and 50% fixed income. The equity component solely utilizes BlackRock’s Scientific Active Equity MSCI ACWI Alpha Tilts strategy (“Equity Strategy”), while the fixed income strategy solely utilizes BlackRock’s Model Based Core Active Bond strategy (“Bond Strategy”). A new investment into the Fund will be allocated 50% into the Equity Strategy and 50% into the Bond Strategy however market movements may shift the Fund’s portfolio allocation over time. On at least a quarterly basis, the adviser will review the Fund’s portfolio allocation relative to the Fund’s investment objective and strategies and may rebalance the weightings in the portfolio holdings to align with the Fund’s target allocation strategy. Equity Strategy. The Equity Strategy focuses on delivering consistent and differentiated capital appreciation that is not easily replicated with portfolios based on well known risk factors such as value or momentum. We source insights from various datasets seeking to identify and capture less well known drivers of market returns. The Equity Strategy primarily seeks to buy common stock (including both growth and value stocks) and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. The Equity Strategy may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings (“IPOs”). The Equity Strategy may invest in securities of any market capitalization. Securities selected will consist primarily of equity securities of companies with similar characteristics to the companies included in the MSCI All Country World Index that the subadviser (“BlackRock” or “Subadviser”) selects using a proprietary quantitative model. The model is designed to select stocks based on an analysis of a wide range of factors, such as relative value; earnings quality; market sentiment; and thematic insights. BlackRock considers risk parameters in deciding upon the Equity Strategy’s aggregate securities holdings, and factors trading costs into its stock selection process. The Equity Strategy may use derivatives, including futures, contracts for difference, swap agreements and/or foreign exchange transactions, to manage the risk and return of the Equity Strategy. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts. Derivatives are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, including but not limited to the MSCI All Country World Index. The use of futures, contracts for difference, swaps or foreign exchange transactions can be effective in managing the risk and return of the Fund. Bond Strategy. The Bond Strategy utilizes a scientific and risk controlled process in building a fixed income portfolio. The scientific approach in the process focuses on a systematic approach that ensures the portfolio considers risk and return. Risk controls identify opportunities and balance risk and is ultimately translated into portfolio investments. The Bond Strategy seeks to invest a substantial portion of its assets in U.S.-registered, dollar-denominated bonds. The Bond Strategy may invest up to 10% of Bond Strategy’s assets in securities rated below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds) or bonds determined by the Subadviser to be of similar quality. The Bond Strategy may invest in bonds of any maturity or duration. The Bond Strategy may invest a significant portion of its assets in U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities, which are securities issued by entities such as the Government National Mortgage Association and the Federal National Mortgage Association that are backed by pools of mortgages. Most transactions in mortgage pass-through securities occur through standardized contracts for future delivery in which the exact mortgage-backed securities to be delivered are not specified until a few days prior to settlement. The Fund expects to enter into such contracts – referred to as “to be announced” (“TBA”) transactions – on a regular basis. The Bond Strategy may use derivatives, such as futures contracts, options and various other instruments. The Bond Strategy may also invest in derivatives based on foreign currencies. In addition, the Bond Strategy may use derivatives and short sales to enhance returns as part of an overall investment strategy or to offset a potential decline in the value of other holdings (“hedge”), although the Bond Strategy is not required to hedge.
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. Asset Allocation Risk. With an asset allocation strategy, the amount invested in various asset classes of securities may change over time. Asset allocation risk could result in an allocation to an underperforming asset class. 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. Small and Medium-Cap Companies Risk. The value of securities issued by small and 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. 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. To Be Announced (TBA) Transaction Risk. TBA transactions include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase securities for a predetermined price or yield with payment and delivery taking place after a period longer than the customary settlement period for that type of security (generally more than three days after the transaction). TBA transactions involve the risks that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery and that the counterparty will default. 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). 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. Below Investment Grade Bond Risk. Below investment grade bonds, otherwise known as “high yield” bonds (“junk” bonds), generally have a greater risk of principal loss than investment grade bonds. Below investment grade bonds are often considered speculative and involve significantly higher credit risk and liquidity risk. The value of these bonds may fluctuate more than the value of higher-rated debt obligations, and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty or periods of rising interest rates and may be subject to negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less secondary market liquidity. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. Effective May 1, 2017, the Fund changed its investment strategy in an effort to improve the Fund’s investment performance. Effective June 15, 2009, the Fund changed its investment strategy in connection with a reorganization where shareholders of the Delaware VIP Balanced Series became shareholders of the Fund. 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 Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	The LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Composite, an unmanaged index compiled by the Fund’s adviser, is constructed as follows: 50% MSCI All Country World Index and 50% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Composite shows how the Fund’s performance compares with the returns of an index that reflects a similar asset allocation to the market sectors in which the Fund invests.
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: 13.18%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the third quarter of 2011 at: (10.62%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Fund | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.26%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.01%
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.28%)	[2],[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.73%	[4]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 75
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	294
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	531
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,211
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	75
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	294
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	531
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,211
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	0.33%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(22.48%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	21.04%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	11.00%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	0.27%
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	11.30%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	14.24%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	4.63%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(1.15%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	4.65%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	13.18%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(10.62%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.65%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.60%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	3.73%
LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Fund | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.26%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.26%
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.28%)	[2],[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.98%	[4]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 100
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	372
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	665
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,498
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	100
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	372
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	665
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,498
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.38%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.33%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	3.63%
LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Fund | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	11.96%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	14.66%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	6.95%
LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Fund | LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Composite (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	5.29%	[5]
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.89%	[5]
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	4.44%	[5]

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

[2] Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation (the “adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive the following portion of its advisory fee: 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The adviser has also contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding AFFE) exceed 0.73% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Standard Class (and 0.98% for the Service Class). Both agreements 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.

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

[4] (After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement)

[5] The LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Composite, an unmanaged index compiled by the Fund's adviser, is constructed as follows: 50% MSCI All Country World Index and 50% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The LVIP BlackRock Scientific Allocation Composite shows how the Fund's performance compares with the returns of an index that reflects a similar asset allocation to the market sectors in which the Fund invests.