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.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624177-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=zbh_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=zbh_InterestExpenseNetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=zbh_OtherExpenseNetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gross Unrealized Losses from Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Cash Flow Hedges [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	$ 29.7	$ 59.1	$ 60.5
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	19.6	121.0	33.3
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	25.7	97.4	119.8
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] \| Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	87.7	122.3	33.3
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	4.0
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI		(38.3)	$ (59.3)
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	(1.7)	$ (1.3)
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Other Expense Net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	$ (66.4)