Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net sales	$ 536,832	$ 525,321	$ 1,046,176	$ 1,024,993
Cost of goods sold	239,590	225,220	473,645	453,480
Gross profit	297,242	300,101	572,531	571,513
Selling, general and administrative expense	195,838	195,331	398,113	381,248
Research and Development Expense	55,717	51,841	108,260	102,184
Segment profit (loss)	45,687	52,929	66,158	88,081
Interest expense	5,564	11,664	9,421	22,641
Foreign exchange losses, net	(286)	865	2,451	2,393
Other (income) expense, net	(8,388)	(8,644)	(9,049)	(10,044)
Income before income taxes	48,797	49,044	63,335	73,091
Provision for income taxes	(17,166)	(14,442)	(25,036)	(18,317)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	31,631	34,602	38,299	54,774
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	(21)
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 31,631	$ 34,602	$ 38,299	$ 54,753
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 1.10	$ 1.21	$ 1.33	$ 1.92
Weighted average common shares - basic	28,826	28,538	28,809	28,516
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share diluted attributable to Bio-Rad	$ 1.09	$ 1.20	$ 1.32	$ 1.90
Weighted average common shares - diluted	29,092	28,868	29,076	28,843