Commitments and Contingencies (Rollforward of Warranties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Warranties
Warranty accrual – January 1	$ 33	$ 31
Net charges for product warranties in the period	32	32	$ 27
Settlement of warranty claims	(31)	(29)
Warranty accrual acquired	66	0
Foreign currency and other	1	1
Warranty accrual – December 31	$ 99	$ 33	$ 31

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The expense charged against earnings for the period pertaining to standard and extended warranties on the entity's goods and services granted to customers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph ((c)(3,4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68068213&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate standard product warranty liability. Does not include the balance for the extended product warranty liability.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase in the standard product warranty accrual from a business acquisition. Excludes extended product warranties.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of decrease in the standard product warranty accrual from payments made in cash or in kind to satisfy claims under the terms of the standard product warranty. Excludes extended product warranties.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Standard Product Warranty Accrual Other

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	xyl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration