| Form N-CSR Cover | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2024 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSRS |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000815425 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Shareholder Report | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($) Holding | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSRS |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000815425 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund |
| Class Name | Class 1 |
| No Trading Symbol Flag | true |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semiannual shareholder report |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | semi-annual shareholder report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature 1-800-345-6611. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 1-800-345-6611 |
| Additional Information Website | columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the reporting period? (Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 1 $ 0.30% |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 16 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.30% |
| Net Assets | $ 2,108,321,861 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 43 |
| Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover | 61% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets $ Total number of portfoli 43 Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 61% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | Graphical Representation of Fund The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's por tfo iti Derivative Exposure Long Equity Risk 21.2 % Interest Rate Risk 1.7 % Short Equity Risk 36.4 % Interest Rate Risk 0.9 % Asset Categories |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Variable Portfolio – U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund |
| Class Name | Class 2 |
| No Trading Symbol Flag | true |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semiannual shareholder report |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | semi-annual shareholder report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature 1-800-345-6611. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 1-800-345-6611 |
| Additional Information Website | columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the reporting period? (Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 2 $ 0.55 % |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 29 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.55% |
| Net Assets | $ 2,108,321,861 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 43 |
| Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover | 61% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Key Fund Stat isti Fund net assets $ Total number of portfolio holdings 43 Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 61% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | Graphical Representation of Fund The tables below show the inve stment Derivative Exposure Long Equity Risk 21.2 % Interest Rate Risk 1.7 % Short Equity Risk 36.4 % Interest Rate Risk 0.9 % Asset Categories |
| Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details) | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Equity Securities [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 49.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Fixed Income Investments [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 24.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Money Market Fund [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 23.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Agency [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 3.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Exchange Traded Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 1% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Other Security Investments [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.90% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Long Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 21.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Long Interest Rate Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 1.70% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Short Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 36.40% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 2 | Short Interest Rate Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.90% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Equity Securities [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 49.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Fixed Income Investments [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 24.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Money Market Fund [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 23.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Agency [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 3.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Exchange Traded Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 1% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Other Security Investments [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.90% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Long Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 21.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Long Interest Rate Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 1.70% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Short Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 36.40% |
| Variable Portfolio - U.S. Flexible Moderate Growth Fund Class 1 | Short Interest Rate Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.90% |
