Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 2,523.0	$ 2,752.0	$ 2,030.0	$ 1,756.0	$ 1,805.0	$ 2,097.0	$ 2,172.0	$ 1,923.0	$ 9,061.0	$ 7,997.0	$ 8,570.0
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)		(2,275.0)							(7,296.0)	(6,460.0)	(6,903.0)
Depreciation and amortization									(453.0)	(286.0)	(281.0)
Selling, general and administrative									(512.0)	(450.0)	(466.0)
Business consolidation and other activities		63.0	(28.0)						(337.0)	(195.0)	(81.0)
Total costs and expenses									(8,598.0)	(7,391.0)	(7,731.0)
Earnings before interest and taxes		132.0	279.0						463.0	606.0	839.0
Interest expense									(229.0)	(143.0)	(160.0)
Debt refinancing and other costs									(109.0)	(117.0)	(33.0)
Total interest expense									(338.0)	(260.0)	(193.0)
Earnings before taxes	92.0	50.0	192.0	(209.0)	63.0	17.0	238.0	28.0	125.0	346.0	646.0
Tax (provision) benefit		(23.0)	114.0						126.0	(47.0)	(150.0)
Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax									15.0	4.0	2.0
Net earnings		34.0	307.0						266.0	303.0	498.0
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									(3.0)	(22.0)	(28.0)
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	$ 52.0	$ 31.0	$ 307.0	$ (127.0)	$ 55.0	$ 45.0	$ 160.0	$ 21.0	$ 263.0	$ 281.0	$ 470.0
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.18	$ 2.16	$ (0.90)	$ 0.40	$ 0.32	$ 1.16	$ 0.15	$ 1.66	$ 2.05	$ 3.39
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.17	$ 2.11	$ (0.90)	$ 0.39	$ 0.32	$ 1.13	$ 0.15	$ 1.63	$ 1.99	$ 3.30
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s):
Basic (in shares)									158,271	137,300	138,508
Diluted (in shares)									161,442	140,984	142,430
Cash dividends declared and paid, per share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52