Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP MFS International Growth Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP MFS International Growth Fund (Standard and Service Class) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP MFS International Growth 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 20% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	20.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	Other Expenses were restated to reflect the current fee structure 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 for the one-year contractual period and the total operating expenses without fee waiver 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 pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in equity and equity-related securities (including Depositary Receipts). The Fund normally invests its assets primarily in foreign equity securities, including emerging market equity securities. The Fund may invest in companies of any size, including small and medium capitalization companies, throughout the world. The Fund expects to invest in various issuers or securities from at least four different foreign countries. Some issuers or securities in the Fund may be based in or economically tied to the United States. The sub-adviser may invest a large percentage of the Fund's assets in issuers in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region. The sub-adviser focuses on investing the Fund's assets in the stocks of companies it believes to have above average earnings growth potential compared to other companies (growth companies). Growth companies tend to have stock prices that are high relative to their earnings, dividends, book value, or other financial measures. The sub-adviser uses a bottom-up investment approach to buying and selling investments for the Fund. Investments are selected primarily based on fundamental analysis of individual issuers and their potential in light of their financial condition, and market, economic, political, and regulatory conditions. Factors considered may include analysis of an issuer's earnings, cash flows, competitive position, and management ability. Quantitative models that systematically evaluate an issuer's valuation, price and earnings momentum, earnings quality, and other factors may also be considered.
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. 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. 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. 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 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 second quarter of 2009 at: 24.57%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008 at: (26.07%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP MFS International Growth Fund | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.82%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.09%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.91%
Less Fee Waiver	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.10%)	[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.81%	[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 83
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	280
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	495
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,113
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	83
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	280
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	495
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,113
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	20.55%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(48.94%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	35.85%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	13.11%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(9.87%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	19.40%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	13.61%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	(5.05%)
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	1.29%
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	1.66%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	24.57%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(26.07%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.66%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.81%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.23%
LVIP MFS International Growth Fund | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.82%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.09%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.16%
Less Fee Waiver	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.10%)	[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.06%	[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 108
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	359
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	629
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,402
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	108
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	359
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	629
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,402
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.41%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.55%
Life of class	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.56%	[4]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2007
LVIP MFS International Growth Fund | MSCI EAFE® NR Index (net dividends) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.00%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.53%
10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.75%
LVIP MFS International Growth Fund | MSCI EAFE® NR Index (net dividends) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.00%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.53%
Life of class	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.08%)	[4]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2007

[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: 0.11% on the first $400 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets; and 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $400 million. 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.

[3] (After Fee Waiver)

[4] Since April 30, 2007