Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2019	Jul. 12, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document type	10-Q
Document quarterly report	true
Document period end date	Jun. 28, 2019
Document transition report	false
Entity file number	1-8089
Entity registrant name	DANAHER CORP /DE/
Amendment flag	false
Document fiscal year focus	2019
Document fiscal period focus	Q2
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity central index key	0000313616
Entity incorporation, state code	DE
Entity tax identification number	59-1995548
Entity address, address line one	2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 800W
Entity address, city	Washington,
Entity address, state	DC
Entity address, postal zip code	20037-1701
City area code	202
Local phone number	828-0850
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity interactive data current	Yes
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity small business	false
Entity emerging growth company	false
Entity shell company	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		717,367,599
New York Stock Exchange | Senior notes | Floating rate senior unsecured notes due 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022
Trading symbol	DHR F 06/30/22
Security exchange name	NYSE
New York Stock Exchange | Senior notes | 1.7% senior unsecured notes due 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.700% Senior Notes due 2022
Trading symbol	DHR 1.7 01/04/22
Security exchange name	NYSE
New York Stock Exchange | Senior notes | 2.5% senior unsecured notes due 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	2.500% Senior Notes due 2025
Trading symbol	DHR 2.5 07/08/25
Security exchange name	NYSE
New York Stock Exchange | Senior notes | 1.2% senior unsecured notes due 2027
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.200% Senior Notes due 2027
Trading symbol	DHR 1.2 06/30/27
Security exchange name	NYSE
New York Stock Exchange | Common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Trading symbol	DHR
Security exchange name	NYSE
New York Stock Exchange | Preferred stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, without par value
Trading symbol	DHR.PRA
Security exchange name	NYSE