Consolidated Condensed Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2013
Common stock issued in connection with LYONs' conversions, tax benefit	$ 28.4

Tax benefit of stock issued during period value conversion of convertible securities

No definition available.

Name:	dhr_TaxBenefitOfStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	dhr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration