Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 03, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SWAV
Entity Registrant Name	Shockwave Medical, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001642545
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,259,784
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity File Number	001-38829
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-0494101
Entity Address, Address Line One	5403 Betsy Ross Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Clara
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	95054
City Area Code	510
Local Phone Number	279-4262
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Title of 12(b) Security	Shockwave Medical, Inc., common stock, par value $0.001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ