Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 05, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-38068
Entity Registrant Name	ZYMEWORKS INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	A1
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-2569713
Entity Address, Address Line One	Suite 540—1385 West 8th Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Vancouver
Entity Address, State or Province	BC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	V6H 3V9
City Area Code	604
Local Phone Number	678-1388
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, no par value per share
Trading Symbol	ZYME
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,539,805
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001403752
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31