<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>361</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>486</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>138</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersDeficitEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersDeficitEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Organization</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganization</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Lease Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeaseObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Employee Compensation Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeCompensationPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Compensation Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Professional Fees and Other Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureProfessionalFeesAndOtherExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Professional Fees and Other Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Quarterly Information (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyInformationUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Information (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Lease Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeaseObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeaseObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyInformationUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyInformationUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Organization - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationNetPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationComponentsOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationComputationOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Inventories - Classes of Inventory (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesClassesOfInventoryDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories - Classes of Inventory (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetailParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Lease Obligations - Future Minimum Rental Commitments for Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeaseObligationsFutureMinimumRentalCommitmentsForNonCancelableOperatingLeasesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Obligations - Future Minimum Rental Commitments for Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeaseObligationsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Employee Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEmployeeCompensationPlansAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquityAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquitySummaryOfChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareholdersDeficitEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Use in Calculation of Fair Value for Service, Performance Condition, and Market and Performance Condition Awards (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationWeightedAverageAssumptionsUseInCalculationOfFairValueForServicePerformanceConditionAndMarketAndPerformanceConditionAwardsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Use in Calculation of Fair Value for Service, Performance Condition, and Market and Performance Condition Awards (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity Under Share-Based Compensation Plans (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfActivityUnderShareBasedCompensationPlansDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity Under Share-Based Compensation Plans (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity Under Share-Based Compensation Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfActivityUnderShareBasedCompensationPlansParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity Under Share-Based Compensation Plans (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Entity-Wide Information, Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Entity-Wide Information, Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationScheduleOfRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToForeignCountriesByGeographicAreaDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment and Deferred Tax Assets by Geographic Area (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndDeferredTaxAssetsByGeographicAreaDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment and Deferred Tax Assets by Geographic Area (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Outstanding (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesSummaryOfForeignCurrencyForwardContractsOutstandingDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Outstanding (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100660 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded in Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesGainsLossesRelatingToDerivativeInstrumentsRecordedInOtherComprehensiveLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded in Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100670 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded to Income (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesGainsLossesRelatingToDerivativeInstrumentsRecordedToIncomeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded to Income (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100680 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded to Income (Parenthetical) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesGainsLossesRelatingToDerivativeInstrumentsRecordedToIncomeParentheticalDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Recorded to Income (Parenthetical) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100690 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income Effective Portion (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesGainsLossesRelatingToDerivativeInstrumentsReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossIntoIncomeEffectivePortionDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) Relating to Derivative Instruments Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income Effective Portion (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100700 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Income before Income Taxes (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeBeforeIncomeTaxesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Income before Income Taxes (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100710 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100720 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100730 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100740 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Reconciliation between Provision for Income Taxes at Statutory Rate and Provision for Income Taxes at Effective Tax Rate (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationBetweenProvisionForIncomeTaxesAtStatutoryRateAndProvisionForIncomeTaxesAtEffectiveTaxRateDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Reconciliation between Provision for Income Taxes at Statutory Rate and Provision for Income Taxes at Effective Tax Rate (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100750 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Changes Occurred in Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesChangesOccurredInAmountOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Changes Occurred in Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100760 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Derivative Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDerivativeAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Derivative Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100770 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Offsetting of Derivative Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsOffsettingOfDerivativeAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Offsetting of Derivative Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100780 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsOffsettingOfDerivativeLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100790 - Disclosure - Professional Fees and Other Expenses - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureProfessionalFeesAndOtherExpensesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Professional Fees and Other Expenses - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100800 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="hlf-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100810 - Disclosure - Quarterly Information (Unaudited) - Quarterly Net Income, Basic Earnings Per Share and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyInformationUnauditedQuarterlyNetIncomeBasicEarningsPerShareAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Information (Unaudited) - Quarterly Net Income, Basic Earnings Per Share and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.herbalife.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureQuarterlyInformationUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>hlf-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>hlf-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>hlf-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>hlf-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>hlf-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>hlf-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
