Description of minimum financial levels (for example, tangible net worth and working capital) and achievement of certain financial ratios (for example, working capital ratio and debt service coverage ratio), and adherence to certain clauses which generally require or restrict certain actions (for example, entering into a debt arrangement with equal or greater seniority, and selling or discontinuing a certain business segment or material subsidiary) to be in compliance with the covenant clauses of the debt agreement. May also include a discussion of the adverse consequences that would result if the entity violates or fails to satisfy the covenants.

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Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

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Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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No definition available.

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Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

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Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

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No definition available.

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Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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No definition available.

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Amount of unamortized debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

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Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

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No definition available.

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Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement.

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Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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Amount represents the difference between the cash acquisition price of the debt and the net carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment.

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The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets.

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The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

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Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

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No definition available.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second and third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

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No definition available.

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Amount of long-term debt classified as other.

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The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

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The cash inflow from a borrowing with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer).

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The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

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No definition available.

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the portion of long-term, uncollateralized debt obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

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- Definition

Available uncommitted credit facilities, Net.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt instrument redemption period.

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No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
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Fair value of debt and interest.

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No definition available.

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Line of credit facility covenant terms maximum leverage ratio.

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No definition available.

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Debt - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, ¥ in Billions		1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Ratio	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 JPY (¥)	Dec. 13, 2016 EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 24, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 7,670,000,000
Other debt and fair value adjustments, total					36,200,000
Debt discount and issuance costs					65,800,000	$ 80,800,000
Proceeds from senior notes					750,000,000	3,000,000,000
Debt recognized amount			$ 22,000,000		(53,300,000)	(22,000,000)
Payments on term loan					800,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Proceeds from senior notes		$ 6,550,000,000
Fair value of principal amount plus interest			$ 2,798,600,000
Estimated fair value of Senior Notes and term loan					8,722,500,000
Interest rate swap assets value										$ 36,900,000
Available uncommitted credit facilities, Net					$ 47,100,000
Weighted average interest rate for all borrowings, long-term debt					2.80%	2.90%		2.80%
Interest paid on Debt					$ 363,100,000	$ 207,100,000	$ 67,500,000
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio description under line of credit facility on financial covenants					Financial covenants under the 2016 and 2014 Credit Agreements include a consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA ratio of no greater than 5.0 to 1.0 through June 30, 2017, and no greater than 4.5 to 1.0 thereafter.
U.S. Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan					$ 1,700,000,000	2,500,000,000
Principal amount, unsecured credit facility											$ 3,000,000,000
Principal payments due on a quarterly basis starting September 30, 2015, during first three years					75,000,000
Principal payments due on a quarterly basis starting September 30, 2015, during fourth year					112,500,000
Principal payments due on a quarterly basis starting September 30, 2015, during fifth year					412,500,000
Payments on term loan					$ 1,300,000,000
Interest rate					2.10%
U.S. Term Loan A [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term				5 years
Principal amount, unsecured credit facility				$ 3,000,000,000
U.S. Term Loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan					$ 675,000,000
Term loan current and non-current					$ 750,000,000
Maturity date of debt instrument					Sep. 30, 2019
Principal amount, unsecured credit facility				750,000,000
Principal payments due in first anniversary					$ 75,000,000
Principal payments due in second anniversary					75,000,000
U.S. Term Loan B [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan current				$ 750,000,000
Japan Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan					$ 99,600,000	96,800,000		¥ 11.7
Maturity date of debt instrument					May 31, 2018
Estimated fair value of Senior Notes and term loan					$ 99,200,000
Term Loan [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term				3 years
Principal amount, unsecured credit facility				$ 750,000,000
Multicurrency Revolving Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Senior Credit Facility					$ 0
Multicurrency Revolving Facility [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument term				5 years
Principal amount, unsecured credit facility				$ 1,500,000,000
Term Loan Through June 24, 2016 [Member] \| 2014 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Leverage Ratio \| Ratio					5.0
Thereafter Term Loan [Member] \| 2014 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Leverage Ratio \| Ratio					4.5
Thereafter Term Loan [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Leverage Ratio \| Ratio					4.5
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt discount and issuance costs					$ 20,300,000
Gain on recourse debt					33,400,000
Net carrying amount of the debt					1,283,400,000
Reacquisition price of debt					1,250,000,000
Interest rate swap assets value										$ 36,900,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Other Expense [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt recognized amount					$ 53,300,000
Term Loan Through June 30, 2017 [Member] \| 2016 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Leverage Ratio \| Ratio					5.0
Euro Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan					$ 1,100,000,000
Proceeds from senior notes	$ 1,073,500,000
1.450% [Member] \| Due in 2017 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes						$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					1.45%	1.45%		1.45%
2.0% [Member] \| Due in 2018 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 1,150,000,000	$ 1,150,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					2.00%	2.00%		2.00%
2.70% [Member] \| Due in 2020 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 1,500,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					2.70%	2.70%		2.70%
3.150% [Member] \| Due in 2022 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 750,000,000	$ 750,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					3.15%	3.15%		3.15%
3.550% [Member] \| Due in 2025 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 2,000,000,000	$ 2,000,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					3.55%	3.55%		3.55%
4.250% [Member] \| Due in 2035 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 253,400,000	$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					4.25%	4.25%		4.25%	4.25%
Repayment of debt	246,600,000
4.450% [Member] \| Due in 2045 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 395,400,000	$ 1,250,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					4.45%	4.45%		4.45%	4.45%
Repayment of debt	$ 854,600,000
Pre-issuance hedge losses related to Senior Notes					$ 66,400,000
3.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of Senior Notes					3.375%			3.375%
1.414% [Member] \| Due in 2022 [Member] \| Euro Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes \| €									€ 500
Term loan					$ 527,400,000
Maturity date of debt instrument	Dec. 13, 2022
Interest rate of Senior Notes					1.414%	1.414%		1.414%	1.414%
2.425% [Member] \| Due in 2026 [Member] \| Euro Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes \| €									€ 500
Term loan					$ 527,400,000
Maturity date of debt instrument	Dec. 13, 2026
Interest rate of Senior Notes					2.425%	2.425%		2.425%	2.425%
5.750% [Member] \| Due in 2039 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes					$ 317,800,000	$ 500,000,000
Interest rate of Senior Notes					5.75%	5.75%		5.75%	5.75%
Repayment of debt	$ 182,200,000
Minimum [Member] \| 3.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption period					1 month
Maximum [Member] \| 3.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption period					6 months