Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Bio Rad [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 1,070,640
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008							29,501
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008		3	124,401	851,577	65,158	1,041,139
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	144,620			144,620		144,620
Net Income	4,545						4,545
Net income	149,165
Currency translation adjustments	34,112
Currency translation adjustments							(195)
Currency translation adjustments					34,307	34,307
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax	(848)
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax							224
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax					(1,072)	(1,072)
Net unrealized holding gains net of tax	32,492				32,492	32,492
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax	2,197				2,197	2,197
Total comprehensive income						212,544
Total comprehensive income							4,574
Total comprehensive income	217,118
Issuance of common stock	10,286		10,286			10,286
Stock compensation expense	9,084		9,084			9,084
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	696		696			696
Purchase of additional controlling interests	(28,611)		(14,023)			(14,023)	(14,588)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	1,279,213
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009							19,487
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		3	130,444	996,197	133,082	1,259,726
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	185,490			185,490		185,490
Net Income	1,445						1,445
Net income	186,935
Currency translation adjustments	52,365
Currency translation adjustments							226
Currency translation adjustments					52,139	52,139
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax	(2,535)
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax							(224)
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax					(2,311)	(2,311)
Net unrealized holding gains net of tax	14,725				14,725	14,725
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax	385				385	385
Total comprehensive income						250,428
Total comprehensive income							1,447
Total comprehensive income	251,875
Issuance of common stock	12,730		12,730			12,730
Stock compensation expense	10,201		10,201			10,201
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	3,161		3,161			3,161
Purchase of additional controlling interests	(16,661)		450			450	(17,111)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,540,519
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	3,823						3,823
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,536,696	3	156,986	1,181,687	198,020	1,536,696
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	178,223			178,223		178,223
Net Income	(200)						(200)
Net income	178,023
Currency translation adjustments	(12,494)
Currency translation adjustments							189
Currency translation adjustments					(12,683)	(12,683)
Reclassification of realized portion of cumulative translation adjustment due to liquidation, net of tax	(1,055)				(1,055)	(1,055)
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax	1,641
Other post-employment benefits adjustment, net of tax					1,641	1,641
Net unrealized holding gains net of tax	12,871				12,871	12,871
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax	(104)				(104)	(104)
Total comprehensive income						178,893
Total comprehensive income							(11)
Total comprehensive income	178,882
Issuance of common stock	14,249		14,249			14,249
Stock compensation expense	10,738		10,738			10,738
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	3,582		3,582			3,582
Purchase of additional controlling interests	(3,588)		(221)			(221)	(3,367)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,744,382
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	445						445
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,743,937	$ 3	$ 185,334	$ 1,359,910	$ 198,690	$ 1,743,937