Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 23, 2021
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13165
Entity Registrant Name	CRYOLIFE INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	FL
Entity Tax Identification Number	59-2417093
Entity Address, Address Line One	1655 Roberts Boulevard, NW
Entity Address, City or Town	Kennesaw
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30144
City Area Code	770
Local Phone Number	419-3355
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CRY
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,098,012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Entity Central Index Key	0000784199
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false