Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	QEP RESOURCES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001108827
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		178,116,761
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Entity Public Float			$ 5,327,744,063