| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2408405 - Disclosure - Debt (Debt Maturities) (Details) (http://www.cognizant.com/role/DebtDebtMaturitiesDetails) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001058290 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] |
|---|---|
2016-12-31 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
2017 | |
2018 | |
2019 | |
Long-term debt | 881,000,000 |