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

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs of long-term debt classified as noncurrent and excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt classified as other.

+ 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))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Change in fair value of debt hedged by interest rate swaps.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Debt - Summary of Debt Instruments (Detail) $ in Thousands, € in Billions, ¥ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2021 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 20, 2020 USD ($)
Current portion of long-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 300,000			$ 500,000
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	7,600,000
Other long-term debt	3,100
Debt discount and issuance costs	(44,900)			(48,200)
Adjustment related to interest rate swaps	2,200			3,100
Total long-term debt	7,538,700			7,626,500
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.375% [Member] \| Due in 2021 [Member]
Current portion of long-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt	300,000			300,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.150% [Member] \| Due in 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	750,000			750,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.700% [Member] \| Due in 2023 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	300,000			300,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.550% [Member] \| Due in 2025 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	2,000,000			2,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.550% [Member] \| Due in 2030 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	900,000			900,000	$ 900,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.050% [Member] \| Due in 2026 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	600,000			600,000	$ 600,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.250% [Member] \| Due in 2035 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	253,400			253,400
Senior Notes [Member] \| 5.750% [Member] \| Due in 2039 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	317,800			317,800
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.450% [Member] \| Due in 2045 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	395,400			395,400
Floating Rate Notes [Member] \| Due in 2021 [Member]
Current portion of long-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt				200,000
Euro Notes [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan \| €		€ 1.5
Euro Notes [Member] \| 1.414% [Member] \| Due in 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	587,700			611,800
Euro Notes [Member] \| 1.164% [Member] \| Due in 2027 [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	587,700			611,800
Euro Notes [Member] \| 2.425% [Member] \| Due in 2026 [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	587,700			611,800
Japan Term Loan A [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	105,900		¥ 11.7	113,300
Japan Term Loan B [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	$ 192,700		¥ 21.3	$ 206,300