Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-13149
Entity Registrant Name	STRYKER CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MI
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-1239739
Entity Address, Address Line One	2825 Airview Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Kalamazoo,
Entity Address, State or Province	MI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	49002
City Area Code	(269)
Local Phone Number	385-2600
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	375,378,477
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000310764
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	Common Stock, $.10 Par Value
Trading Symbol	SYK
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Unsecured Notes 1.125% due 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	1.125% Notes due 2023
Trading Symbol	SYK23
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Unsecured Notes 2.125% due 2027
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	2.125% Notes due 2027
Trading Symbol	SYK27
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Unsecured Notes 2.625% due 2030
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	2.625% Notes due 2030
Trading Symbol	SYK30
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Senior Unsecured Notes Variable due 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	Floating Rate Notes due 2020
Trading Symbol	SYK20A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE