<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.3.a.u2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>202</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>456</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>68</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Disclosure - Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNatureOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Restructuring</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuring</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Notes Payable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotesPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Collaboration Revenue</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenue</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration Revenue</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Net Loss per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - 401(k) Savings Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/Disclosure401KSavingsPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>401(k) Savings Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Restructuring (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuring</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Notes Payable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotesPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotesPayable</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStock</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Collaboration Revenue (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration Revenue (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenue</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Net Loss per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNatureOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesSummaryOfFairValueHierarchyForAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Summary of Fair Value Hierarchy for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Investments - Schedule of Investments by Security Type (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentsBySecurityTypeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments - Schedule of Investments by Security Type (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Investments - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net - Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetScheduleOfPropertyAndEquipmentNetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net - Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesSummaryOfAccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Leases - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Leases - Summary of Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheets for Opening Balances Related to Lease (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesSummaryOfImpactOnConsolidatedBalanceSheetsForOpeningBalancesRelatedToLeaseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Summary of Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheets for Opening Balances Related to Lease (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Leases - Summary of Future Undiscounted Cash Inflows Under the Sublease (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesSummaryOfFutureUndiscountedCashInflowsUnderSubleaseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Summary of Future Undiscounted Cash Inflows Under the Sublease (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Leases - Summary of Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesSummaryOfOperatingLeaseAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Summary of Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Leases - Summary of Lease Costs (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesSummaryOfLeaseCostsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Summary of Lease Costs (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Leases - Schedule of Future Payments of Operating Lease Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFuturePaymentsOfOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Schedule of Future Payments of Operating Lease Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesSummaryOfFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Restructuring - Schedule of Components of Outstanding Restructuring Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRestructuringScheduleOfComponentsOfOutstandingRestructuringLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring - Schedule of Components of Outstanding Restructuring Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotesPayableAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Notes Payable - Summary of Future Principal Payments Due Under Arrangement, Excluding Interest and End of Term Charge (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotesPayableSummaryOfFuturePrincipalPaymentsDueUnderArrangementExcludingInterestAndEndOfTermChargeDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable - Summary of Future Principal Payments Due Under Arrangement, Excluding Interest and End of Term Charge (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2012 Stock Incentive plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStock2012StockIncentivePlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2012 Stock Incentive plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2015 Incentive Award Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStock2015IncentiveAwardPlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2015 Incentive Award Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStock2015EmployeeStockPurchasePlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Employee Stock Options (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockSummaryOfEstimatedFairValueOfEmployeeStockOptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Employee Stock Options (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockSummaryOfStockOptionActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100660 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Stock Options - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockStockOptionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Stock Options - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100670 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockSummaryOfRestrictedStockActivityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100680 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Restricted Stock Units - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockRestrictedStockUnitsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Restricted Stock Units - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100690 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Summary of Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100700 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityCommonStockStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Common Stock - Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100710 - Disclosure - Collaboration Revenue - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenueAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration Revenue - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100720 - Disclosure - Collaboration Revenue - Changes in Contract Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenueChangesInContractLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration Revenue - Changes in Contract Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100730 - Disclosure - Collaboration Revenue - Schedule of Revenue Recognized (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCollaborationRevenueScheduleOfRevenueRecognizedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Collaboration Revenue - Schedule of Revenue Recognized (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100740 - Disclosure - Net Loss per Share - Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareBasicAndDilutedNetLossPerShareAttributableToCommonStockholdersDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss per Share - Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100750 - Disclosure - Net Loss per Share - Summary of Potential Common Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareSummaryOfPotentialCommonSharesExcludedFromCalculationOfDilutedNetLossPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss per Share - Summary of Potential Common Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100760 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100770 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100780 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of U.S Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Company's Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfReconciliationOfUSFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateToCompanySEffectiveIncomeTaxRateDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of U.S Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Company's Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100790 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Net Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesScheduleOfNetDeferredTaxAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Net Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100800 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Changes In Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSummaryOfChangesInValuationAllowanceForDeferredTaxAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Summary of Changes In Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100810 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedSummaryOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100820 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mcrb-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100830 - Disclosure - 401(k) Savings Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://serestherapeutics.com/20191231/taxonomy/role/Disclosure401KSavingsPlanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>401(k) Savings Plan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>mcrb-20191231.xml</File>
    <File>mcrb-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>mcrb-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>mcrb-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>mcrb-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>mcrb-20191231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
