Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		140,044,781
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000882104
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2