Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 21, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Central Index Key	0000784199
Entity Registrant Name	CRYOLIFE INC.
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	1-13165
Entity Address, City or Town	Kennesaw
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Address Line One	1655 Roberts Boulevard, NW
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30144
Entity Tax Identification Number	59-2417093
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
City Area Code	770
Local Phone Number	419-3355
Trading Symbol	CRY
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,503,707