Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-27038
Entity Registrant Name	NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3156479
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Wayside Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Burlington,
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01803
City Area Code	781
Local Phone Number	565-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.001
Trading Symbol	NUAN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			281,271,002
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0001002517
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30