| Document and Entity Information | Oct. 24, 2019 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000732712 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Oct. 24, 2019 |
| 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 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| 2.375% Notes Due 2022 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.375% Notes due 2022 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ22A |
| 0.500% Notes Due 2022 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.500% Notes due 2022 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ22B |
| 1.625% Notes Due 2024 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.625% Notes due 2024 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ24B |
| 4.073% Notes Due 2024 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 4.073% Notes due 2024 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ24C |
| 0.875% Notes Due 2025 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ25 |
| 3.25% Notes Due 2026 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.25% Notes due 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ26 |
| 1.375% Notes Due 2026 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.375% Notes due 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ26B |
| 0.875% Notes Due 2027 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 0.875% Notes due 2027 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ27E |
| 1.375% Notes Due 2028 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.375% Notes due 2028 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ28 |
| 1.875% Notes Due 2029 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.875% Notes due 2029 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ29B |
| 1.250% Notes Due 2030 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.250% Notes due 2030 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ30 |
| 2.625% Notes Due 2031 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.625% Notes due 2031 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ31 |
| 2.500% Notes Due 2031 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.500% Notes due 2031 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ31A |
| 4.75% Notes Due 2034 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 4.75% Notes due 2034 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ34 |
| 3.125% Notes Due 2035 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.125% Notes due 2035 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ35 |
| 3.375% Notes Due 2036 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 3.375% Notes due 2036 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ36A |
| 2.875% Notes Due 2038 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.875% Notes due 2038 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ38B |
| New York Stock Exchange | Common Stock | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.10 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ |
| NASDAQ/NGS (GLOBAL SELECT MARKET) [Member] | Common Stock | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.10 |
| Trading Symbol | VZ |
