Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 2,719.0	$ 2,953.0	$ 3,017.0	$ 2,785.0	$ 2,803.0	$ 2,946.0	$ 3,101.0	$ 2,785.0	$ 11,474.0	$ 11,635.0	$ 10,983.0
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)									(9,203.0)	(9,329.0)	(8,717.0)
Depreciation and amortization									(678.0)	(702.0)	(729.0)
Selling, general and administrative									(417.0)	(478.0)	(514.0)
Business consolidation and other activities									(244.0)	(191.0)	(221.0)
Total costs and expenses									(10,542.0)	(10,700.0)	(10,181.0)
Earnings before interest and taxes									932.0	935.0	802.0
Interest expense									(317.0)	(301.0)	(285.0)
Debt refinancing and other costs									(7.0)	(1.0)	(3.0)
Total interest expense									(324.0)	(302.0)	(288.0)
Earnings before taxes	123.0	119.0	226.0	140.0	123.0	192.0	166.0	152.0	608.0	633.0	514.0
Tax (provision) benefit									(71.0)	(185.0)	(165.0)
Equity in results of affiliates, net of tax									(1.0)	5.0	31.0
Net earnings									536.0	453.0	380.0
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									30.0	1.0	(6.0)
Net earnings attributable to Ball Corporation	$ 160.0	$ 92.0	$ 197.0	$ 117.0	$ 151.0	$ 59.0	$ 119.0	$ 125.0	$ 566.0	$ 454.0	$ 374.0
Earnings per share:
Per basic share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ 0.17	$ 0.34	$ 0.36	$ 1.71	$ 1.32	$ 1.07
Per diluted share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.27	$ 0.58	$ 0.34	$ 0.44	$ 0.17	$ 0.34	$ 0.35	$ 1.66	$ 1.29	$ 1.05
Weighted average shares outstanding (000s):
Basic (in shares)									331,102	344,796	350,269
Diluted (in shares)									340,121	352,321	356,985