Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Acquired in-process research and development (Note 3) Acquired in-process research and development The amount of EXPENSE related to research and development assets that are acquired in a business combination (pre-141R) and/or licensing arrangement that have no alternative future use and are therefore written off in the period of acquisition (INCOME STATEMENT) Tax year under examination Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease resulting from settlements Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Income taxes paid Income Taxes Paid Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Defined Benefit Pension Plans Pension Plan [Member] Retiree Health Benefit Plans Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Pension contributions Pension Contributions Estimated future employer contributions in current FY Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Endocrinology: Endocrinology [Member] Revenue to unaffiliated customers, Endocrinology Humalog® Humalog [Member] Humalog [Member] Trulicity® Trulicity [Member] [Member] Trulicity [Member] [Member] Forteo® Forteo [Member] Forteo [Member] Humulin® Humulin [Member] Humulin [Member] Trajenta Trajenta (BI) [Member] Trajenta (BI) [Member] Other Endocrinology Other Endocrinology [Member] Other Endocrinology [Member] Oncology: Oncology [Member] Revenue to unaffiliated customers, Oncology Alimta Alimta [Member] Alimta [Member] Cyramza® Cyramza [Member] Cyramza [Member] Erbitux Erbitux [Member] Erbitux [Member] Other Oncology Other Oncology [Member] Other Oncology [Member] Cardiovascular: Cardiovascular [Member] Revenue to unaffiliated customers, Cardiovascular Cialis® Cialis [Member] Cialis [Member] Effient Effient [Member] Effient [Member] Other Cardiovascular Other Cardiovascular [Member] Other Cardiovascular [Member] Neuroscience: Neuroscience [Member] Revenue to unaffiliated customers, Neuroscience Strattera® Strattera [Member] Strattera [Member] Cymbalta Cymbalta [Member] Cymbalta [Member] Zyprexa® Zyprexa [Member] Zyprexa [Member] Other Neuroscience Other Neuroscience [Member] Other Neuroscience [Member] Other pharmaceuticals Other Pharmaceuticals [Member] Revenue to unaffiliated customers, Other pharmaceuticals Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Human pharmaceutical products Human Pharmaceutical Products [Member] Human Pharmaceutical Products [Member] Animal health products Animal Health Products [Member] Animal Health Products [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Revenue Revenues Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Collaborations and Other 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[Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] KeyBioscience's Dual Amylin Calcitonin Receptor Agonists [Member] KeyBioscience's Dual Amylin Calcitonin Receptor Agonists [Member] KeyBioscience's Dual Amylin Calcitonin Receptor Agonists [Member] Nektar's Phase I Immunological Therapy [Member] Nektar's Phase I Immunological Therapy [Member] Nektar's Phase I Immunological Therapy [Member] Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.'s U.S. Vaccine Portfolio Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.'s U.S. Vaccine Portfolio [Member] Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.'s U.S. Feline, Canine, and Rabies Vaccine Portfolio CoLucid Pharmaceuticals CoLucid Pharmaceuticals [Member] CoLucid Pharmaceuticals [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Acquired in-process research and development All cash 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Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Effect from hedged fixed-rate debt Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge Effect from interest rate contracts Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Instruments Effective portion of losses on interest rate contracts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion Net losses on foreign currency exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Effective portion of risk-management instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net Schedule of Other Nonoperating 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depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total assets Assets Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt Debt, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Employee compensation Employee-related Liabilities, Current Sales rebates and discounts Sales rebates and discounts Sales rebates and discounts Dividends payable Dividends Payable, Current Income taxes payable Taxes Payable, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Accrued retirement benefits (Note 9) Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total other liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Eli Lilly and Company Shareholders’ Equity (Note 7) Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Employee benefit trust Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11) Cost of common stock in treasury Treasury Stock, Value Total Eli Lilly and Company shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Geographical [Axis] 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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 -Subparagraph 2 Interest rate cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified during next 12 months Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net Cash payment Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability OTTI recognized Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Available-for-sale, percentage of nonperforming assets (percentage) Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Percentage of Nonperforming Assets Amount of receivable derecognized Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Amount Derecognized Debt instrument, face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Stated interest rate (percentage) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Proceeds from issuance of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Amortization of prior service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Recognized actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Net periodic benefit cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Available-for-sale Securities Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Gain (Loss) on Investments Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Interest expense Interest Expense Interest income Investment Income, Interest Venezuela charge Other income Other–net, (income) expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Description of Derivative Risk Management Policy Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Estimate of Fair Value Measurement Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Reported Value Measurement Reported Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other receivables Derivative Asset, Current Sundry Derivative Asset, Noncurrent Other current liabilities Derivative Liability, Current Other noncurrent liabilities Derivative Liability, Noncurrent Other current liabilities Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current Other noncurrent liabilities Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Reclassification Adjustments, Tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Reclassification Adjustments, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case Type [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Product Liability Litigation Product Liability Litigation [Member] Matters related to product liability litigation Takeda Portion Takeda Portion [Member] Takeda Portion [Member] Employee Litigation Employee Litigation [Member] Employee Litigation [Member] Canada CANADA Ontario ONTARIO Quebec QUEBEC Alberta ALBERTA California CALIFORNIA Brazil BRAZIL Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Actos Actos [Member] Actos [Member] Number of new application Number of New Application Number of New Application Number of defendants Loss Contingency, Number of Defendants Number of companies Loss Contingency, Number of Companies Loss Contingency, Number of Companies Number of additional companies Number of Additional Companies Number of Additional Companies Number of cases Loss Contingency, Number of Cases The number of cases pursuant to a particular litigation or loss contingency. Litigation settlement, amount Litigation Settlement, Amount Number of lawsuits Loss Contingency, Number of Lawsuits Number of lawsuits in a particular litigation or loss contingency. Number of plaintiffs Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs Damages awarded, value Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value Number of Individuals Number of Individuals Number of Individuals Schedule of Net Benefit Costs Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block] Schedule of Research and Development Assets Acquired Other than Through Business Combination Schedule of Research and Development Assets Acquired Other than Through Business Combination [Table Text Block] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] U.S. government and agency securities US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Corporate debt securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Mortgage-backed securities Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Asset-backed securities Asset-backed Securities [Member] Other securities Other Debt Obligations [Member] Marketable equity securities Equity Securities [Member] Cost and equity method investments Equity Method And Other Investments [Member] Equity Method and Other Investments [Member] Portion at Other than Fair Value Measurement Portion at Other than Fair Value Measurement [Member] Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Short-term investments, debt securities Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Current Short-term investments: Available-for-sale Securities, Current Noncurrent investments, debt securities Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Noncurrent Marketable equity securities Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities, Noncurrent Cost and equity method investments Other Long-term Investments Noncurrent investments: Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent Short-term commercial paper borrowings Commercial Paper Long-term debt, including current portion Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Costs, expenses, and other: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Cost of sales Asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges (Note 5) Other–net, (income) expense (Note 12) Cost of sales, operating expenses, and other-net Cost of sales, operating expenses, and other-net Cost of sales, operating expenses, and other-net Income before income taxes Income taxes (Note 8) Net income Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic (usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Shares used in calculation of earnings per share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dividends paid per share (usd per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Document & Entity Information [Abstract] Document & Entity Information [Abstract] Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Information, Document [Axis] Document Information, Document [Axis] Document [Domain] Document [Domain] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Receivables, Net, Current [Abstract] Allowance for bad debt Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]