Name:	us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 30
-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount the entity has committed to make for future royalty guarantees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 928
-SubTopic 440
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6473578&loc=d3e63223-108013

Name:	us-gaap_RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of a stock split.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockSplits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the price per share the entity must pay on the repurchase of common stock issued to the counterparty of a collaborative agreement. The repurchase is at the discretion of the counterparty.

No definition available.

Name:	uthr_CollaborativeArrangementCommonStockRepurchasePricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	uthr_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the installment payment term under the license agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	uthr_LicenseInstallmentPaymentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	uthr_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the notice period upon which shares may be repurchased.

No definition available.

Name:	uthr_NoticePeriodUponWhichSharesMayBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix:	uthr_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the royalty as a percentage of net sales.

No definition available.

Name:	uthr_RoyaltyAsPercentageOfNetSales
Namespace Prefix:	uthr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the minimum royalty payment term.

No definition available.