Document and Entity Information Document Document - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 22, 2016	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	PEABODY ENERGY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001064728
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,538,665
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 0.6