Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 176.8us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 221.1us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	(152.7)	15.9
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax	52.4	(3.1)
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax	(21.6)	(2.0)
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax	0.6	0.1
Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax		(0.4)
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	3.9	(1.9)
Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)	(117.4)	8.6
Comprehensive Income	59.4	229.7
Comprehensive gain/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0.2	(0.4)
Comprehensive Income attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 59.2us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 230.1us-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 of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).

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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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