8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	$ (798,070,000)	$ (681,778,000)	$ (695,984,000)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(34,574,000)	(64,361,000)	(67,034,000)
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	77,790,000	165,477,000	179,013,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	(700,000)	(300,000)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	200,000	100,000
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	(500,000)	(200,000)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	100,000	(2,900,000)
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	(200,000)	5,000,000
Other Nonoperating Income	$ (300,000)	$ 7,900,000