v3.3.1.900
Document And Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Apr. 25, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.  
Document Type 10-Q  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   165,114,611
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 Mar. 31, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1