Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 23, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, CHF 0.03 par value
Trading Symbol	CRSP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Registrant Name	CRISPR THERAPEUTICS AG
Entity Central Index Key	0001674416
Entity Tax Identification Number	00-0000000
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,652,429
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-37923
Entity Address, Address Line One	Baarerstrasse 14
Entity Address, City or Town	Zug
Entity Address, Country	CH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	6300
City Area Code	41 (0)41
Local Phone Number	561 32 77
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	V8
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false