v2.4.1.9
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Feb. 13, 2015
Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2014    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Registrant Name Lilly Eli & Co    
Entity Central Index Key 0000059478    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Public Float     $ 60,777,000,000dei_EntityPublicFloat
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,111,103,942dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding