Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 2,132,694	$ 2,069,235	$ 2,073,529
Cost of goods sold	954,216	914,077	894,700
Gross profit	1,178,478	1,155,158	1,178,829
Selling, general and administrative expense	798,070	681,778	695,984
Research and development expense	210,952	209,204	177,604
Income from operations	169,456	264,176	305,241
Interest expense	61,271	51,112	53,135
Foreign exchange losses, net	8,566	5,040	13,842
Other (income) expense, net	(12,766)	(21,883)	(7,583)
Income before income taxes	112,385	229,907	245,847
Provision for income taxes	(34,574)	(64,361)	(67,034)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	77,811	165,546	178,813
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)	(69)	200
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 77,790	$ 165,477	$ 179,013
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 2.72	$ 5.85	$ 6.39
Weighted average common shares - basic	28,586	28,290	28,031
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share diluted attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 2.69	$ 5.78	$ 6.29
Weighted average common shares - diluted	28,906	28,642	28,468