Organization and principal activities	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and principal activities	Organization and principal activities Zai Lab Limited was incorporated on March 28, 2013 in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands (as amended). Zai Lab Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) are focused on developing and commercializing products and product candidates that address medical conditions with unmet needs, including in the areas of oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The Company’s principal operations and geographic markets are in Greater China. The Company has a substantial presence in Greater China and the United States.

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122149

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479

Name:	us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration