Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e681-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the unamortized adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective interest rate fair value hedge that is amortized upon discontinuation of the interest rate fair value hedge.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 35
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118957181&loc=d3e75592-113984

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredGainLossOnDiscontinuationOfInterestRateFairValueHedge
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Nominal or face amount used to calculate payment on derivative.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30700-110894

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30690-110894

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum period of time the entity is hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Excludes forecasted transactions related to payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated change, before taxes, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zbh_FairValueOfOutstandingDerivativeInstrumentsNetUnrealizedGainLossDeferredInOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months, after taxes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zbh_FairValueOfOutstandingDerivativeInstrumentsUnrealizedGainLossNetOfTaxesExpectedToBeReclassifiedToEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Forward starting interest rate swap cash flow hedge remaining to be amortized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zbh_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapCashFlowHedgeRemainingToBeAmortized
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of debt designated as net investment hedges.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zbh_PercentageOfDebtDesignatedAsNetInvestmentHedges
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CurrencyAxis=currency_USD
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CurrencyAxis=currency_CHF
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=zbh_UsTermLoanBMember
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_DebtInstrumentAxis=zbh_FourPointSixTwoFivePercentageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=zbh_TwoThousandNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=zbh_ThreePointThreeSevenFivePercentageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=zbh_TwoThousandTwentyOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=zbh_FourPointFourFiveZeroPercentageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=zbh_TwoThousandFortyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, SFr in Millions, ¥ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2019 CHF (SFr)	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018 EUR (€)	Mar. 19, 2018	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unamortized balance of 3.375% Senior Notes in which will be recognized under effective interest rate method	$ 6,400,000
Forward starting interest rate swap cash flow hedge to be amortized	$ 26,500,000
Percentage of debt designated as net investment hedges	100.00%
Expected months of hedging of inter company sales of inventory to minimize the effects of foreign exchange rate movements	30 months
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, net unrealized loss deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 17,400,000
Gains (losses) on derivatives	(3,400,000)	$ (41,200,000)	$ 45,500,000
Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, loss, expected to be reclassified to earnings	38,400,000
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, loss, net of taxes expected to be reclassified to earnings	33,100,000
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, loss, expected to be reclassified to earnings	(600,000)
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, loss, net of taxes expected to be reclassified to earnings	(500,000)
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, unrealized loss net of taxes deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income	16,400,000
Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total				¥ 7	SFr 50		€ 1,450
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Nondesignated [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total	1,500,000,000
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Nondesignated [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total	2,000,000,000.0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| U.S. Dollars [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total	1,496,300,000
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Swiss Francs [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total	276,000,000.0
Senior Notes [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate								3.70%
U.S. Term Loan B [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount, Total									$ 375,000,000
U.S. Term Loan B [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest income	$ 2,800,000
4.625% [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate						4.625%
4.625% [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Due in 2019 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.625%			4.625%	4.625%	4.625%	4.625%
3.375% [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Due in 2021 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.375%			3.375%	3.375%		3.375%
4.450% [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Due in 2045 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.45%			4.45%	4.45%		4.45%
Hedged senior notes maturity period	30 years