Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity Fund (Standard and Service Class) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity 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)
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 26% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	26.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	Other Expenses were restated to reflect the current fee structure of the fund. The Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement were restated to reflect the current fee waiver and 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	In constructing an investment portfolio, the Fund’s sub-adviser identifies a broadly diversified universe of eligible securities. It then places priority on efficiently managing portfolio turnover and keeping trading costs low. The Fund purchases a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies in developed markets with a greater emphasis on small capitalization and value companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe. For purposes of the Fund, the sub-adviser defines the International Universe as a market capitalization weighted portfolio of non-U.S. companies in developed markets that have been authorized as approved markets for investment by the sub-adviser’s investment committee. The Fund’s increased exposure to small capitalization and value companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Fund’s assets to the largest growth companies relative to their weight in the International Universe, which would result in a greater allocation to small capitalization and value companies. An equity issuer is generally considered a growth company primarily if it has a low, non-negative book value in relation to its market capitalization. An equity issuer is generally considered a value company primarily if it has a high book value in relation to its market capitalization. The Fund intends to purchase securities of companies associated with developed market countries that the sub-adviser has designated as approved markets. The Fund, under normal circumstances, will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities. The sub-adviser determines company size on a country or region specific basis and based primarily on market capitalization. The percentage allocation of the assets of the Fund to securities of the largest growth companies as defined above will generally be reduced from between 5% and 35% of their percentage weight in the International Universe. The percentage by which the Fund’s allocation to securities of the largest growth companies is reduced will change due to market movements and other factors. Additionally, the Fund’s percentage allocation to all securities as compared to their representation in the International Universe may be modified after considering other factors the sub-adviser determines to be appropriate, such as free float (i.e., number of shares readily available in the market), momentum (i.e., securities that have significantly outperformed or underperformed the peer group), trading strategies (i.e., considering how the investment trades), liquidity management, and profitability. In assessing profitability, the sub-adviser may consider different ratios, such as that of earnings or profits from operations relative to book value or assets. The Fund may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Fund also may use derivatives, such as futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to gain market exposure on its uninvested cash pending investment in securities or to maintain liquidity to pay redemptions.
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. 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. Income Stocks Risk. Income from stocks may be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of companies and the capital resources available for such payments at such companies. Depending upon market conditions, income producing common stock may not be widely available and/or may be highly concentrated in only a few market sectors, thereby limiting the ability to produce current income. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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 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 2016 at: 7.78%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the second quarter of 2016 at: (1.85%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity 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	0.38%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.13%
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.45%)	[2],[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.68%	[4]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 70
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	315
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	580
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,336
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	70
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	315
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	580
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,336
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	4.51%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2016
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	7.78%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2016
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(1.85%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.51%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(3.08%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 2015
LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity 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	0.38%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.38%
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.45%)	[2],[3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.93%	[4]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 95
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	393
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	713
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,620
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	95
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	393
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	713
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,620
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.24%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(3.32%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 2015
LVIP Dimensional International Core Equity Fund | MSCI World ex USA Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.75%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(4.88%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 2015

[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: 0.17% 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 0.68% of the Funds average daily net assets for the Standard Class (and 0.93% for 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 Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement were restated to reflect the current fee waiver and expense limitation of the fund.

[4] (After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement)