Commitments and Contingencies - Future under noncancelable sublease (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable Subleases receipts
2021	$ 6,722
2022	6,504
2023	3,482
2024	3,519
2025	3,556
Thereafter	1,193
Total	$ 24,976

The amount of sublease receipts receivables .

No definition available.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts with in one year.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts with in fifth year.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts with in four year.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts with in three year.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts with in two year.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of future minimum sublease receipts fifth year and there after years.

No definition available.

Name:	bzfd_SubleasesFutureMinimumReceiptsThereAfterYears
Namespace Prefix:	bzfd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant