Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 29, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	Lilly Eli & Co
Entity Central Index Key	0000059478
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity File Number	001-6351
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IN
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-0470950
Entity Address, Address Line One	Lilly Corporate Center
Entity Address, City or Town	Indianapolis
Entity Address, State or Province	IN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	46285
City Area Code	317
Local Phone Number	276-2000
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 (in shares)		965,432,952
Common Stock (no par value)
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock (no par value)
Trading Symbol	LLY
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.000% Notes Due June 2, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.000% Notes Due June 2, 2022
Trading Symbol	LLY22
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
7 1/8% Notes Due June 1, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	7 1/8% Notes Due June 1, 2025
Trading Symbol	LLY25
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.625% Notes Due June 2, 2026
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.625% Notes Due June 2, 2026
Trading Symbol	LLY26
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
2.125% Notes Due June 3, 2030
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.125% Notes Due June 3, 2030
Trading Symbol	LLY30
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.77% Notes Due January 1, 2036
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.77% Notes Due January 1, 2036
Trading Symbol	LLY36
Security Exchange Name	NYSE