Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2017
LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund (Standard and Service Class) Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize 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 73% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	73.00%
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 in approximately 100 equity securities of issuers from emerging foreign countries. Stocks are selected from the list of stocks that represents the 500 largest companies by market capitalization in the MSCI Emerging Market Index (market capitalization to be determined as of the last trading day of March, i.e. rebalance date). An emerging market country is defined as an emerging or developing economy by the International Monetary Fund or defined as such by MSCI. The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in issuers located in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region. The Fund may exclude certain issuers, countries, or regions based on adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. The Fund’s portfolio construction rules are as follows: identify the top 500 stocks in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index by market capitalization; rank the stocks in each Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)* sector by average valuation ranking using three equally-weighted measures: Price/Earnings ratio, Price/Book ratio and Dividend Yield; select the 20% of stocks within each GICS sector with the lowest average valuation ranking; equally-weight each stock; and rebalance the portfolio annually as of the last trading day of March. * GICS is a widely recognized global standard for categorizing companies into sectors and industries. The target number of stocks is 20% of the number of stocks within each GICS sector. On an annual basis, the sub-adviser will rebalance the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the portfolio construction rules. Between annual rebalancing, when cash inflows and outflows require, the sub-adviser will make new purchases and sales of common stock of the selected companies in the same proportion that such securities are then held in the Fund based on current value. While securities will be equally-weighted on the annual rebalancing date, such weightings may fluctuate throughout the year based on market conditions. The Fund may invest in stock index futures as a substitute for a comparable market position in the securities underlying the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Stock index futures are used by the Fund to equitize cash so that the Fund may remain invested in the equity market while facilitating shareholder 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. Rules-Based Strategy Risk. A “rules-based” strategy is a methodology based on a systematic approach. Its investment performance may differ significantly from the performance of any index against which its performance may be compared. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that securities holdings which are considered to be illiquid may be difficult to value. Illiquid holdings also may be difficult to sell, both at the time or price desired. Liquidity risk also may result from increased shareholder redemptions in the Fund. Furthermore, a potential rise in interest rates may result in a period of Fund volatility and increased redemptions, heightening liquidity risk. In addition, liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market for fixed income securities, as well the reduced capacity of dealers to make a market for such securities.
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: 43.60%. The Fund’s lowest return for a quarter occurred in the third quarter of 2011 at: (24.40%).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns For periods ended 12/31/16
LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund | Standard Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.34%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.14%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.48%
Less Fee Waiver	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.47%	[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 48
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	153
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	267
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	602
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	48
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	153
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	267
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 602
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	89.89%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	27.77%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(14.93%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	12.66%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	(2.83%)
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	(3.37%)
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(17.04%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	15.44%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	43.60%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(24.40%)
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	15.44%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	0.26%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.54%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jun. 18, 2008
LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund | Service Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.34%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.14%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.73%
Less Fee Waiver	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.72%	[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 74
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	232
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	405
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	905
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	74
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	232
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	405
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 905
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	15.16%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	0.01%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.29%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jun. 18, 2008
LVIP SSGA Emerging Markets 100 Fund | MSCI Emerging Market NR Index (net dividends) (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	11.19%
5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	1.28%
Lifetime Since inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.87%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jun. 18, 2008

[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: 0.065% of the first $50 million of the Fund's average daily net assets and 0.025% on next $50 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets and 0.005% on next $400 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets 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)