Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 23, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
City Area Code	(510)
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	1-7928
Entity Registrant Name	BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000012208
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-1381833
Entity Address, Address Line One	1000 Alfred Nobel Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Hercules,
Entity Address, Country	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94547
Local Phone Number	724-7000
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Class A [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	BIO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,586,408
Common Class B [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	BIOb
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,091,968