Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jul. 28, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	PTEN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
Entity Registrant Name	Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000889900
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		216,821,730
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	1-39270
Entity Tax Identification Number	75-2504748
Entity Address, Address Line One	10713 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 800
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77064
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	765-7100