Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt
Ownership interest in guarantor subsidiaries (as a percent)			100.00%
Net sales	$ 2,953	$ 2,946	$ 8,755	$ 8,832
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	(2,363)	(2,362)	(7,044)	(7,083)
Depreciation and amortization	(169)	(171)	(510)	(529)
Selling, general and administrative	(90)	(113)	(328)	(352)
Business consolidation and other activities	(133)	(32)	(147)	(131)
Total costs and expenses	(2,755)	(2,678)	(8,029)	(8,095)
Earnings before interest and taxes	198	268	726	737
Interest expense	(79)	(76)	(237)	(226)
Debt refinancing and other costs			(4)	(1)
Total interest expense	(79)	(76)	(241)	(227)
Earnings (loss) before taxes	119	192	485	510
Tax (provision) benefit	(32)	(140)	(73)	(220)
Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax	5	7	(6)	14
Net earnings	92	59	406	304
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				(1)
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	92	59	406	303
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Ball Corporation	173	26	604	159
Eliminating Adjustments
Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt
Net sales	(207)	(201)	(619)	(599)
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	207	201	619	599
Equity in results of subsidiaries	(43)	(377)	(575)	(695)
Total costs and expenses	164	(176)	44	(96)
Earnings before interest and taxes	(43)	(377)	(575)	(695)
Earnings (loss) before taxes	(43)	(377)	(575)	(695)
Net earnings	(43)	(377)	(575)	(695)
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	(43)	(377)	(575)	(695)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Ball Corporation	(173)	(321)	(948)	(414)
Ball Corporation | Reportable Legal Entities
Costs and expenses
Depreciation and amortization	(2)	(1)	(4)	(4)
Selling, general and administrative	41	(244)	(20)	(278)
Business consolidation and other activities	(7)	(53)	(23)	(70)
Equity in results of subsidiaries	80	369	467	634
Intercompany	49	52	176	228
Total costs and expenses	161	123	596	510
Earnings before interest and taxes	161	123	596	510
Interest expense	(80)	(79)	(240)	(235)
Debt refinancing and other costs			(4)	(1)
Total interest expense	(80)	(79)	(244)	(236)
Earnings (loss) before taxes	81	44	352	274
Tax (provision) benefit	11	15	54	29
Net earnings	92	59	406	303
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	92	59	406	303
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Ball Corporation	173	26	604	159
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt
Net sales	1,680	1,666	4,966	5,003
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	(1,443)	(1,405)	(4,295)	(4,235)
Depreciation and amortization	(51)	(49)	(150)	(153)
Selling, general and administrative	(84)	179	(172)	65
Business consolidation and other activities	(2)	13	(9)	(41)
Equity in results of subsidiaries	(37)	8	108	61
Intercompany	(24)	(6)	(88)	(158)
Total costs and expenses	(1,641)	(1,260)	(4,606)	(4,461)
Earnings before interest and taxes	39	406	360	542
Interest expense	1	3	4	10
Total interest expense	1	3	4	10
Earnings (loss) before taxes	40	409	364	552
Tax (provision) benefit	(13)	(103)	(52)	(135)
Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax	1	3	(12)	1
Net earnings	28	309	300	418
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	28	309	300	418
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Ball Corporation	84	313	506	309
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt
Net sales	1,480	1,481	4,408	4,428
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	(1,127)	(1,158)	(3,368)	(3,447)
Depreciation and amortization	(116)	(121)	(356)	(372)
Selling, general and administrative	(47)	(48)	(136)	(139)
Business consolidation and other activities	(124)	8	(115)	(20)
Intercompany	(25)	(46)	(88)	(70)
Total costs and expenses	(1,439)	(1,365)	(4,063)	(4,048)
Earnings before interest and taxes	41	116	345	380
Interest expense			(1)	(1)
Total interest expense			(1)	(1)
Earnings (loss) before taxes	41	116	344	379
Tax (provision) benefit	(30)	(52)	(75)	(114)
Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax	4	4	6	13
Net earnings	15	68	275	278
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				(1)
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	15	68	275	277
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Ball Corporation	$ 89	$ 8	$ 442	$ 105