Net Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 95	$ 262
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	283.5	283.0
Dilution associated with stock-based compensation plans	2.9	4.1
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	286.4	287.1
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. (USD per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.93
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. (USD per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.91
Anti-dilutive shares of common stock excluded from diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. (in shares)	8.4	4.1

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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