XML 109 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3.a.u2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 19, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Document and Entity Information      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 0-26301    
Entity Registrant Name United Therapeutics Corporation    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 52-1984749    
Entity Address, Address Line One 1040 Spring Street    
Entity Address, City or Town Silver Spring    
Entity Address, State or Province MD    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 20910    
City Area Code 301    
Local Phone Number 608-9292    
Security 12b Title Common Stock, par value $.01 per share    
Trading Symbol UTHR    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   43,884,990  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Central Index Key 0001082554    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Public Float     $ 2,976,670,801