<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.1.900</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>214</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>313</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>73</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfConvertiblePreferredStockAndStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00405 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity 2 (Deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfConvertiblePreferredStockAndStockholdersEquity2Deficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity 2 (Deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00406 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfConvertiblePreferredStockAndStockholdersEquityDeficitParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Organization and description of business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndDescriptionOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and description of business</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Balance sheet components</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponents</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance sheet components</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Convertible preferred stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible preferred stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity (deficit)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity (deficit)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Stock plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Income taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAttributableToCommonStockholders</Role>
      <ShortName>Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Geographic information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureGeographicInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Balance sheet components (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance sheet components (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponents</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Convertible preferred stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible preferred stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStock</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDeficitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDeficit</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Stock plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Net loss per common share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net loss per common share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Geographic information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureGeographicInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureGeographicInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Organization and description of business (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndDescriptionOfBusinessDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and description of business (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndDescriptionOfBusiness</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies - Concentrations of credit risk (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationsOfCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies - Concentrations of credit risk (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40202 - Disclosure - Summary of significant accounting policies - Internal-use software , Property and equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInternalUseSoftwarePropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of significant accounting policies - Internal-use software , Property and equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Balance sheet components - Cash equivalents and marketable securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance sheet components - Cash equivalents and marketable securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Balance sheet components - Property and equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance sheet components - Property and equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40303 - Disclosure - Balance sheet components - Accrued liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureBalanceSheetComponentsAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Balance sheet components - Accrued liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40502 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Equipment Financing (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesEquipmentFinancingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Equipment Financing (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40503 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Capital Lease (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesCapitalLeaseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Capital Lease (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Convertible preferred stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible preferred stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDeficitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDeficitTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Stock plans - Stock incentive plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlansStockIncentivePlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans - Stock incentive plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - Stock plans - RSU Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlansRsuActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans - RSU Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40803 - Disclosure - Stock plans - Risk free interest rate &amp; Dividend yield (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlansRiskFreeInterestRateDividendYieldDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans - Risk free interest rate &amp; Dividend yield (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40804 - Disclosure - Stock plans - Stock-based compensation expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureStockPlansStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock plans - Stock-based compensation expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Unrecognized tax benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Unrecognized tax benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAttributableToCommonStockholdersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAttributableToCommonStockholders</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Geographic information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureGeographicInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Geographic information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureGeographicInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvta-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.invitae.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nvta-20151231.xml</File>
    <File>nvta-20151231.xsd</File>
    <File>nvta-20151231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nvta-20151231_def.xml</File>
    <File>nvta-20151231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nvta-20151231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
