Nominal or face amount used to calculate payment on derivative.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

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- Definition

Period the derivative contract is outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from operating lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888419&loc=SL77918627-209977

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of lessee's right to use underlying asset under operating lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888419&loc=SL77918627-209977

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=dhr_EnvistaMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

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- Details

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General (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2019	Sep. 27, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets		$ 956.1		$ 971.0
Total operating lease liabilities		999.0		$ 1,012.0
Foreign currency contracts \| Subsidiaries \| Envista
Derivative, notional amount		650.0
Net investment hedging \| Foreign currency contracts
Derivative, notional amount		1,650.0	$ 1,900.0
Cash flow hedging \| Interest rate swap agreements
Derivative, notional amount		1,500.0
Cash flow hedging \| Interest rate swap agreements \| Subsidiaries \| Envista
Derivative, notional amount		650.0
U.S. dollar-denominated bonds \| Net investment hedging \| Foreign currency contracts
Derivative, notional amount		$ 1,000.0	$ 1,900.0
U.S. dollar-denominated bonds \| Cash flow hedging \| Interest rate swap agreements
Derivative, notional amount	$ 850.0
U.S. dollar-denominated bonds \| Cash flow hedging \| Interest rate swap agreements \| Minimum
Derivative, term of contract	10 years
U.S. dollar-denominated bonds \| Cash flow hedging \| Interest rate swap agreements \| Maximum
Derivative, term of contract	30 years