Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 719.0us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 759.2us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 752.9us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	(241.5)	(44.4)	46.1
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains, net of tax	55.9	33.4	10.9
Reclassification adjustments on cash flow hedges, net of tax	(18.9)	(4.4)	3.3
Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax	(0.4)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax	(0.5)	0.1	0.4
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	(75.8)	38.5	11.8
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(281.2)	23.2	72.5
Comprehensive Income	437.8	782.4	825.4
Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(1.0)	(2.0)	(2.2)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 438.8us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 784.4us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 827.6us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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