Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 18, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-9260
Entity Registrant Name	UNIT CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	73-1283193
Entity Address, Address Line One	8200 South Unit Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Tulsa,
Entity Address, State or Province	OK
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	74132
City Area Code	(918)
Local Phone Number	493-7700
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		55,531,603
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	UNT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000798949