The number of cases pursuant to a particular litigation or loss contingency.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	lly_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of claimants in a given litigation or loss contingency

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lly_LossContingencyNumberOfClaimants
Namespace Prefix:	lly_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of lawsuits in a particular litigation or loss contingency.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lly_LossContingencyNumberOfLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	lly_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identifies the PERCENT share of individuals or entities that are co-defendants in a lawsuit, and who may have to pay all or a portion of any damages awarded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lly_LossContingencyPartiesJointlyandSeverallyLiableinLitigationPercentShare
Namespace Prefix:	lly_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 Actos [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Byetta [Member] Multi District Litigation Mdl [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Byetta [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Prozac [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Compensatory Damages [Member] Actos [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Compensatory Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Takeda Portion [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Compensatory Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Lilly Portion [Member]	Oct. 31, 2014 Punitive Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Takeda Portion [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Punitive Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Takeda Portion [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014 Punitive Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Lilly Portion [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Punitive Damages [Member] Actos [Member] Lilly Portion [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 Damages from Product, Cancer [Member] Byetta [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 CANADA Actos [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 CALIFORNIA Byetta [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Other states [Member] Byetta [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Brazil [Member] Employee Litigation [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 Brazil [Member] Employee Litigation [Member] BRL	Dec. 31, 2014 ONTARIO Actos [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 QUEBEC Actos [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 ALBERTA Actos [Member] Product Liability Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, Number of Cases	5,275												3					1	1	1
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value					$ 1.3			$ 28.0	$ 6,000.0	$ 9.0	$ 3,000.0					$ 375.0	1,000.0
Loss Contingency, Parties Jointly and Severally Liable in Litigation, Percent Share						75.00%	25.00%
Loss Contingency, Number of Claimants			395	470
Loss Contingency, Number of Lawsuits		310	415	10								350		95	10	30	30
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs		350	920									540		540	30