Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
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
Gross profit	406.0	372.0	367.0	275.0	308.0	346.0	336.0	305.0	1,420.0	1,295.0
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
Net earnings (loss) 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
Basic earnings (loss) per share (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 earnings (loss) per share (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
Depreciation and amortization related to cost of sales									$ 345.0	$ 242.0
Deferred tax asset	$ 4.0				$ 123.0				$ 4.0	$ 123.0