Name:	nvo_EBPDividendWithholdingTaxReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The dividend withholding tax refund received for the employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_EBPTaxStatusDividendWithholdTaxRefundReceived
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of withholding tax paid for the employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

No definition available.

Name:	nvo_EBPTaxStatusWithholdingTaxPaid
Namespace Prefix:	nvo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Date of tax determination letter for employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)), in YYYY-MM-DD format.

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanTaxDeterminationLetterDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates (true false) whether tax determination letter was obtained by employer of participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanTaxDeterminationLetterObtained
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates tax qualification status of employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (g)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478416/962-205-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-02(c))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1