| Cover | Jul. 24, 2020 | Jul. 23, 2020 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Document Type | 8-K | |
| Document Period End Date | Jul. 24, 2020 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Verizon Communications Inc. | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | |
| Entity File Number | 1-8606 | |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 23-2259884 | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1095 Avenue of the Americas | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York, | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10036 | |
| City Area Code | 212 | |
| Local Phone Number | 395-1000 | |
| Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name | Not Applicable | |
| Written Communications | false | |
| Soliciting Material | false | |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false | |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000732712 | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| New York Stock Exchange | Common Stock | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.10 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.625% Notes due 2024 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.625% Notes due 2024 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ24B | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 4.073% Notes due 2024 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 4.073% Notes due 2024 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ24C | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 0.875% Notes due 2025 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2025 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ25 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 3.250% Notes due 2026 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.250% Notes due 2026 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ26 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.375% Notes due 2026 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.375% Notes due 2026 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ26B | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 0.875% Notes due 2027 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2027 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ27E | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.375% Notes due 2028 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.375% Notes due 2028 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ28 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.875% Notes due 2029 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.875% Notes due 2029 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ29B | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.250% Notes due 2030 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.250% Notes due 2030 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ30 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.875% Notes due 2030 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.875% Notes due 2030 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ30A | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 2.625% Notes due 2031 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.625% Notes due 2031 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ31 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 2.500% Notes due 2031 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.500% Notes due 2031 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ31A | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 0.875% Notes due 2032 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2032 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ32 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.300% Notes due 2033 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.300% Notes due 2033 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ33B | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 4.750% Notes due 2034 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 4.750% Notes due 2034 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ34 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 3.125% Notes due 2035 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.125% Notes due 2035 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ35 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 3.375% Notes due 2036 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.375% Notes due 2036 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ36A | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 2.875% Notes due 2038 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.875% Notes due 2038 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ38B | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.500% Notes due 2039 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.500% Notes due 2039 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ39C | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 3.500% Fixed Rate Notes Due 2039 [Member] | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.500% Fixed Rate Notes due 2039 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ39D | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| New York Stock Exchange | 1.850% Notes Due 2040 | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.850% Notes due 2040 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ40 | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE | |
| The NASDAQ Global Select Market | Common Stock | ||
| Entity Information [Line Items] | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.10 | |
| Trading Symbol | VZ | |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
