Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 12, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
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
Title of 12(b) Security	N/A
Trading Symbol	N/A
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,260,037
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000798949
Entity Bankruptcy Proceedings, Reporting Current	true