<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>149</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>291</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>41</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00500 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognition</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Corporate Restructuring Costs</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCosts</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate Restructuring Costs</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20902 - Disclosure - Leases (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandards</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standards (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standards (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandards</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognition</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Corporate Restructuring Costs (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCostsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate Restructuring Costs (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCosts</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40202 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standards (Impact Of Topic 842 On Balance Sheet) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardsImpactOfTopic842OnBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standards (Impact Of Topic 842 On Balance Sheet) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40203 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Standards (Impact Of Topic 842 On Balance Sheet) (Paranthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardsImpactOfTopic842OnBalanceSheetParantheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Standards (Impact Of Topic 842 On Balance Sheet) (Paranthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRecentAccountingStandardsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40303 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition (Revenue Recognized From Liability Balances) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionRevenueRecognizedFromLiabilityBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Recognition (Revenue Recognized From Liability Balances) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40502 - Disclosure - Corporate Restructuring Costs (Schedule of Restructuring Costs) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCostsScheduleOfRestructuringCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate Restructuring Costs (Schedule of Restructuring Costs) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCostsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40503 - Disclosure - Corporate Restructuring Costs (Reconciliation of Restructuring Liability) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCostsReconciliationOfRestructuringLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Corporate Restructuring Costs (Reconciliation of Restructuring Liability) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCorporateRestructuringCostsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40702 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Leases (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule Of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related To Leases) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfSupplementalBalanceSheetInformationRelatedToLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule Of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related To Leases) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule Of Lease Expense Components) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfLeaseExpenseComponentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule Of Lease Expense Components) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40904 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule Of Supplemental Cash Flow Related To Leases) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfSupplementalCashFlowRelatedToLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule Of Supplemental Cash Flow Related To Leases) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40905 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule Of Maturity Of Lease Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfMaturityOfLeaseLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule Of Maturity Of Lease Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Stock Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted EPS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareStockAwardsExcludedFromCalculationOfDilutedEpsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Stock Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted EPS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chipotle.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="cmg-20190630x10q.htm">cmg-20190630x10q.htm</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630.xsd</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630_def.xml</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630xex10_1.htm</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630xex10_2.htm</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630xex31_1.htm</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630xex31_2.htm</File>
    <File>cmg-20190630xex32_1.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
