Name:	lgnd_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityContingentConsiderationFromAcquisition
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Payments to Contingent Value Right Holders

No definition available.

Name:	lgnd_PaymentsToContingentValueRightHolders
Namespace Prefix:	lgnd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from liability measured at fair value on recurring basis using unobservable input (level 3).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19207-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19207-110258