Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Unused lines of Credit [Member], USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Unused lines of Credit [Member]
Commitments
Unused Commitment to Extend Credit to Customers	$ 12.4

The unused amount of credit eBay has commited to make available to our customers through issued lines of credit,

No definition available.

Name:	ebay_UnusedCommitmentToExtendCreditToCustomers
Namespace Prefix:	ebay_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant