v3.6.0.2
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Feb. 13, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Entity Registrant Name PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.    
Document Type 10-K    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   165,558,447  
Entity Public Float     $ 512,648,875
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 Dec. 31, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY