Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34180
Entity Registrant Name	FLUIDIGM CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	77-0513190
Entity Address, Address Line One	2 Tower Place, Suite 2000
Entity Address, City or Town	South San Francisco,
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94080
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	266-6000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	FLDM
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 463,753,327
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)		77,198,577
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement in connection with the registrant’s annual meeting of stockholders, scheduled to be held in May 2022, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report. Except as expressly incorporated by reference, the registrant’s Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be part of this report.
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0001162194