Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CCXI
Entity Registrant Name	ChemoCentryx, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001340652
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-35420
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-3254365
Entity Address, Address Line One	850 Maude Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Mountain View
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94043
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	210-2900
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		61,854,015
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false