Amount of share repurchases authorized Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Schedule of Share Repurchase Activities Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block] Vested (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Net income attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Net income attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Sales-type leases terms Lessor, Sales-type Lease, Term of Contract Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Accrued compensation and employee benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Increase in unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities 2026 and thereafter Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Four Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Four Income Statement Location Income Statement Location [Axis] Accumulated Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Deferred payments and contingent consideration related to business combinations and asset acquisitions Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Present Value of Future Cash Payments Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Present Value of Future Cash Payments Capital Leased Assets [Line Items] Capital Leased Assets [Line Items] Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Equity investments with readily determinable value beginning balance, Carrying Value Equity investments with readily determinable value beginning balance, Carrying Value Equity investments Equity Securities, FV-NI, Current Forfeited (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent Payment of contingent liability Payment for Contingent Consideration Liability, Financing Activities Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Goldman Goldman, Sachs & Co. [Member] Goldman, Sachs & Co. [Member] Estimated total undiscounted contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Undiscounted Expected Outcome Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Undiscounted Expected Outcome Total assets measured at fair value, Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents and Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents and Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Common stock reserved for issuance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Operating lease revenue Operating Lease, Lease Income Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock plans APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Operating Lease Revenue Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block] Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Intangible assets acquired Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Weighted average useful life Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Remaining amount of share repurchases authorized Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Employee stock options excluded from computation of diluted net income per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Inventory Details Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Revenue recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized 2021 Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year Prepaid taxes Prepaid Taxes Granted (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Proceeds from maturities of investments Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Stock Options Equity Option [Member] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Options exercisable, number of shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Other accrued liabilities Other Liabilities [Member] Summary of Contractual Maturities of Cash Equivalents and Available-For-Sale Investments Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Preferred stock, 2.5 shares authorized, $0.001 par value, issuable in series; no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Beginning balance, Number Outstanding Ending balance, Number Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Prepaids and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Consolidating Reporting [Domain] Consolidating Reporting [Domain] Consolidating Reporting [Domain] CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Repurchase and retirement of common stock Value of shares repurchased Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable 2025 Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Four Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Intangible and other assets, net Intangible And Other Assets Sum of carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges and other non-current assets. Inventory Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Supplemental non-cash investing activities: Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Shares withheld related to net share settlement of equity awards Shares withheld related to net share settlement of equity awards Share-based Payment Arrangement, Shares Withheld for Tax Withholding Obligation Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other Long-term Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue 2018 Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Year Four, Originated, Three Years before Current Fiscal Year Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items] Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic REVENUE AND CONTRACT ACQUISITION COSTS Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Sales/Purchases/Others Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Sales, Purchases and Other Adjustments Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Sales, Purchases and Other Adjustments Unvested beginning balance (in shares) Unvested ending balance (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Document Type Document Type Mature in one to five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Revenue Disaggregated by Types and Geography Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Current portion of deferred purchase consideration payments Deferred Purchase Consideration Payments, Current Deferred Purchase Consideration Payments, Current Costs capitalized as contract acquisition costs Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Adoption of new accounting standard Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Shares withheld related to net share settlement of equity awards Share-based Payment Arrangement, Decrease for Tax Withholding Obligation Commercial paper Commercial Paper [Member] excess tax benefits associated with employee equity plans (in percent) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Expense (Benefit), Share-based Payment Arrangement, Percent Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax Total purchase consideration Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Remainder of 2021 Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Remainder of Fiscal Year Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] ASR Program Accelerate Share Repurchase Program [Member] Accelerate Share Repurchase Program [Member] Other long-term liabilities Total other long-term liabilities Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Consolidation and Joint Ventures Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Net tangible assets acquired Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Tangible Assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Tangible Assets Excess tax benefits associated with employee equity plans Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Expense (Benefit), Share-based Payment Arrangement, Amount Options exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Non-compete provisions Noncompete Agreements [Member] Sales-type Lease Revenue Sales-type Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block] Service Service [Member] U.S. government agencies US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] 2024 Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Three Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Decrease in undiscounted expected contingent liability Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Undiscounted Expected Outcome Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Undiscounted Expected Outcome Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Contingency [Table] NET INCOME PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Average price per share (in dollars per share) Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share 2025 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four BALANCE SHEET DETAILS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Minimum Minimum [Member] Short-term investments Short- term Investments Marketable Securities, Current 2019 Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year Gross profit Gross Profit Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Income before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Table] Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Expected volatility (percent) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Gross Unrealized Gains Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Trading Symbol(s) Trading Symbol Deferred tax assets Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Acquisition of businesses, net of cash Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Consolidating Reporting [Axis] Consolidating Reporting [Axis] Consolidating Reporting [Axis] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Non-U.S. government securities Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] Beginning balance Ending balance AOCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Adjustment, after Tax Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Cost of revenue: Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Net investment in sales-type leases – short-term Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Current Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Current Foreign exchange gains/(losses) related to balance sheet re-measurement Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Common stock, 300.0 shares authorized, $0.001 par value, 118.7 shares and 117.7 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Interest and other income, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Summary of Cash and Available-For-Sale Securities Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Unvested beginning balance (usd per share) Unvested ending balance (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Acquisition activity Goodwill, Acquired During Period Deferred cash payments Deferred Purchase Consideration Payments Deferred Purchase Consideration Payments Manufacturing process technology Manufacturing Process Technology [Member] Manufacturing Process Technology Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Contingencies (Note 8) Commitments and Contingencies Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Income taxes—long-term Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, before Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted [Abstract] Other Accrued Liabilities - Short-term Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Gains (Losses) on Hedge Instruments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax [Abstract] Work-in-process Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves U.S. Geographic Distribution, Domestic [Member] Purchase of property, plant, and equipment and intellectual property Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Prepaids and other current assets Prepaids and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Total revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Fair Value, Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Total assets measured at fair value, Amortized Cost Cash and Cash Equivalents and Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost Cash and Cash Equivalents and Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost 2020 Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year Income from operations Operating Income (Loss) Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Gross lease receivables Sales-type Lease, Gross Investment in Lease Sales-type Lease, Gross Investment in Lease Mature in one to five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Gross Unrealized Losses Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 2023 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Hedging Designation Hedging Designation [Axis] Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Share-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Credit Quality Indicator [Table] Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Credit Quality Indicator [Table] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Depreciation and loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment Depreciation Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] 2017 Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Year Five, Originated, Four Years before Current Fiscal Year Outside of U.S. (“OUS”) Geographic Distribution, Foreign [Member] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis] Summary of RSU Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block] Notional amounts of outstanding currency forward contracts Derivative, Notional Amount Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares) Shares repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Other accrued liabilities Total other accrued liabilities—short-term Other Liabilities, Current Maximum Maximum [Member] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Total liabilities Liabilities Raw materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Net additional expense Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Expense Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Expense Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Options granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Options forfeited/expired, Number Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period Total Intuitive Surgical, Inc. stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Summary of Equity Investment Activity Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table Text Block] Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Timing of performance obligation Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Explanation Repurchase of common stock Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Stockholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] 2022 Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year One Accrued compensation and employee benefits Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Beginning balance Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax Income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Amortization of contract acquisition assets Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization City Area Code City Area Code Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Intangible and other assets, net Intangible and Other Assets, Net [Member] Intangible and Other Assets, Net Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Employee Stock Purchase Plan, number of shares purchased by employees Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] U.S. treasuries US Treasury Securities [Member] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-For-Sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract] Intangible and other assets, net Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses) Cumulative Translation Adjustment Summary [Roll Forward] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Income tax expense Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total stockholders’ equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Forfeited (in shares) Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Inventory Total inventory Inventory, Net Re-measurement of deferred tax assets Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount Options granted, Number Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Stockholders Equity Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block] Entity File Number Entity File Number Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Options forfeited/expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Cost of sales - products Cost Of Sales Product [Member] Cost Of Sales Product [Member] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Equity investments without readily determinable value, Carrying Value Equity investments without readily determinable value, Carrying Value Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Weighted average fair value at grant date (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Issuance of common stock through employee stock plans (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Shares repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Equipment transfers, including operating lease assets, from inventory to property, plant, and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Transfers and Changes Repurchase Program Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member] Long-term investments Long- term Investments Marketable Securities, Noncurrent Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Amortized Cost Basis by Year of Origination and Credit Quality Indicator Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block] 2023 Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Two Price allocated to remaining performance obligations Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Issuance of common stock through employee stock plans Shares Issued, Value, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-sale Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Purchase of investments Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Geographic Distribution [Domain] Geographic Distribution [Domain] Recognized gains/(losses) in Interest and other income, net Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Research and development Research And Development [Member] Research And Development [Member] Total Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost Total Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Payments to be Received Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Deferred revenue—long-term Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Translation and other Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments Total assets Assets Other long-term liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Noncurrent Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Noncontrolling Interest in Joint Venture Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Research and development Research and Development Expense Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint venture Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in joint venture Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Cash Cash [Member] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Remaining performance obligations Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] I.R.S. Employer Identification No. Entity Tax Identification Number 2010 Incentive Award Plan 2010 Incentive Award Plan [Member] 2010 Incentive Award Plan Amortized Cost Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Sales/Purchases/Others Equity Securities, FV-NI, Sales, Purchases and Other Adjustments Equity Securities, FV-NI, Sales, Purchases and Other Adjustments Basic (in shares) Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic calculation Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Add: dilutive effect of potential common shares Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Product Product [Member] High High [Member] High Selling, general and administrative Selling General And Administrative [Member] Costs related to selling, general and administrative activities. Total comprehensive income attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Deferred revenue Contract with Customer, Liability Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Shares used in computing net income per share attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc.: Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Low Low [Member] Low Corporate debt securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Distribution rights and others Distribution Rights [Member] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Total Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity Parent [Member] Final average price per share paid (in dollars per share) Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three Share-based compensation expense after income taxes Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, after Tax Swiss Foreign Tax Authority [Member] Litigation related accruals Estimated Litigation Liability, Current Total Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Fair Value Total Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Fair Value Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Remainder of 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Remainder of Fiscal Year Gross lease receivables Sales-type Lease, Lease Receivable Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Employee Benefit Plans Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Total cost of revenue Cost of Goods and Services Sold Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment and Tax Number Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Customer relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Mature in less than one year Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Property, plant, and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other prepaids and other current assets Other Prepaid Expense, Current Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Cost of sales - services Cost Of Sales Service [Member] Cost Of Sales Service [Member] Other income Other Income [Member] Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense Of Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] Net income per share attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc.: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Proceeds from Sale of Investments Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Changes in Fair Value Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Unearned income Sales-type Lease, Deferred Selling Profit Sales-type Lease, Deferred Selling Profit Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of the Option Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, Weighted Average Assumptions Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block] Moderate Moderate [Member] Moderate Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassification Adjustments Net Of Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax Beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Share-based compensation expense before income taxes Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table] Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table] Schölly Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH [Member] Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH [Member] Net income per share attributable to Intuitive Surgical, Inc.: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Sales-type lease revenue Sales-type Lease, Lease Income Income tax expense, percentage of pre-tax income Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table] Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table] Net Investment Sales-Type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, before Allowance for Credit Loss Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Loss (gain) on investments, accretion, and amortization, net Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Gross Notional Amounts for Derivatives and Aggregate Gross Fair Value Outstanding Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block] Collar Contract Collar Contract [Member] Collar Contract Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Allowance for Credit Loss Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss Taxes payable Taxes Payable, Current Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Payment of deferred purchase consideration Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Gross Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Number of shares reserved for future issuance Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Stock repurchase program, increased to authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, increased to authorized amount Increased to authorized shares repurchase amount for Stock Repurchase Program Instruments and accessories Instruments and Accessories [Member] Instruments and Accessories [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Schedule of Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Schedule of Lease Receivables Capital Leases in Financial Statements of Lessor Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Options exercised, Number Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period 2026 and thereafter Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Payments to be Received, Year Five and Thereafter Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Payments to be Received, Year Five and Thereafter Diluted (in shares) Weighted average shares outstanding used in diluted calculation Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] LEASES Lessor, Sales-type Leases [Text Block] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Summary of Stock Option Activity Under All Stock Plans Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Services Services [Member] Services [Member] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Patents and developed technology Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Schedule of Lease Receivables Lessor, Sales-type Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block] Lessor, Sales-type Lease, Lease Income Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Employee Stock Purchase Plan, value of shares purchased by employees Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Prepaids and Other Current Assets Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block] Operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Vested (usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Expected term (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current ESPP Employee Stock [Member] Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement Cash payments Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Schedule of Contractual Maturities of Gross Lease Receivables Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Maturity [Table Text Block] Forward contracts Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items] Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items] Municipal securities Municipal Notes [Member] Money market funds Money Market Funds [Member] Cash Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] Title of each class Title of 12(b) Security Allowance for credit loss Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Allowance for Credit Loss Proceeds from issuance of common stock relating to employee stock plans Proceeds from Stock Plans Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Chindex Chindex [Member] Chindex [Member] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Prepaids and other current assets Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] Changes in Fair Value Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Table Text Block] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Cover page. Cover [Abstract] Net Carrying Amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Noncontrolling interest in joint venture Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Systems Systems [Member] Systems [Member] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Total cost of sales Cost of Sales [Member] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax Schedule of Summary of Changes in Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS Nature of Operations [Text Block] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Prior Sales-type Lease, Net Investment in Lease, Originated, More than Five Years before Current Fiscal Year Mature in less than one year Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Geographic Distribution [Axis] Geographic Distribution [Axis] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)