Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NOVO NORDISK A S
Entity Central Index Key	0000353278
Document Type	6-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false