Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Status of Non-Vested Equity-Based Awards (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Carlyle Holdings
Units
Beginning balance (in shares)	26,819,112	35,997,415	47,202,803
Granted (in shares)	0	0	50,617
Vested (in shares)	8,830,325	8,733,826	9,159,216
Forfeited (in shares)	748,787	444,477	2,096,789
Ending balance (in shares)	17,240,000	26,819,112	35,997,415
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 22.18	$ 22.16	$ 22.13
Granted (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	28.26
Vested (in dollars per share)	22.11	22.11	22.10
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	22.00	22.00	22.00
Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 22.22	$ 22.18	$ 22.16
Equity Settled Awards \| Deferred Restricted Common Units \| The Carlyle Group, L.P.
Units
Beginning balance (in shares)	18,420,434	18,929,270	16,250,174
Granted (in shares)	6,730,159	6,770,420	7,978,127
Vested (in shares)	7,007,857	5,452,961	3,767,550
Forfeited (in shares)	1,436,816	1,826,295	1,531,481
Ending balance (in shares)	16,705,920	18,420,434	18,929,270
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 24.62	$ 26.12	$ 23.91
Granted (in dollars per share)	11.30	22.39	29.63
Vested (in dollars per share)	25.14	26.91	24.69
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	22.91	24.98	24.63
Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 19.21	$ 24.62	$ 26.12
Equity Settled Awards \| Unvested Common Units \| The Carlyle Group, L.P.
Units
Beginning balance (in shares)	766,991	809,797	872,060
Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Vested (in shares)	728,080	31,132	62,263
Forfeited (in shares)	0	11,674	0
Ending balance (in shares)	38,911	766,991	809,797
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 27.41	$ 27.19	$ 26.78
Granted (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	0.00
Vested (in dollars per share)	27.71	21.53	21.42
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0.00	27.99	0.00
Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 21.67	$ 27.41	$ 27.19
Cash Settled Awards \| Phantom Units \| The Carlyle Group, L.P.
Units
Beginning balance (in shares)	6,741	104,070	208,511
Granted (in shares)	0	0	12,204
Vested (in shares)	3,480	93,109	101,839
Forfeited (in shares)	741	4,220	14,806
Ending balance (in shares)	2,520	6,741	104,070
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 34.58	$ 23.40	$ 22.12
Granted (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	34.81
Vested (in dollars per share)	34.45	22.52	22.08
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	34.39	24.80	23.85
Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 34.81	$ 34.58	$ 23.40

Units granted under share-based compensation arrangement other than as part of the initial public offering.

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Weighted-average grant date fair value of units granted under share-based compensation arrangement other than as part of the initial public offering.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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