General (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2018	Sep. 27, 2019	Sep. 28, 2018	Sep. 27, 2019	Sep. 28, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ (2,791.1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		$ (271.3)	$ (156.5)	(324.5)	$ (490.3)
Ending balance		(3,088.3)		(3,088.3)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (1,422.1)	(2,155.4)	(1,812.9)	(2,098.1)	(1,422.1)
Adoption of accounting standards	(43.8)
Increase (decrease)		(226.8)	(162.4)	(286.0)	(509.4)
Income tax impact		(9.0)	0.0	(7.1)	0.0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes		(235.8)	(162.4)	(293.1)	(509.4)
Increase (decrease)		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Income tax impact		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(235.8)	(162.4)	(293.1)	(509.4)
Ending balance	(1,465.9)	(2,391.2)	(1,975.3)	(2,391.2)	(1,975.3)
Pension & Postretirement Plan Benefit Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(571.2)	(681.1)	(664.6)	(691.1)	(571.2)
Adoption of accounting standards	(107.2)
Increase (decrease)		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Income tax impact		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Increase (decrease)		7.5	7.7	20.7	25.8
Income tax impact		(1.7)	(1.8)	(4.9)	(6.1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		5.8	5.9	15.8	19.7
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		5.8	5.9	15.8	19.7
Ending balance	(678.4)	(675.3)	(658.7)	(675.3)	(658.7)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-For-Sale Securities Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(0.9)	(1.0)	(1.7)	(1.9)	(0.9)
Adoption of accounting standards	(0.2)
Increase (decrease)		0.6	0.0	1.8	(0.8)
Income tax impact		(0.1)	0.0	(0.4)	0.2
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes		0.5	0.0	1.4	(0.6)
Increase (decrease)		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Income tax impact		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		0.5	0.0	1.4	(0.6)
Ending balance	(1.1)	(0.5)	(1.7)	(0.5)	(1.7)
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0.0	(6.8)	0.0	0.0	0.0
Adoption of accounting standards	0.0
Increase (decrease)		(55.1)	0.0	(64.0)	0.0
Income tax impact		13.3	0.0	15.4	0.0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes		(41.8)	0.0	(48.6)	0.0
Increase (decrease)		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Income tax impact		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(41.8)	0.0	(48.6)	0.0
Ending balance	0.0	(48.6)	0.0	(48.6)	0.0
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,994.2)	(2,844.3)	(2,479.2)	(2,791.1)	(1,994.2)
Adoption of accounting standards	(151.2)
Increase (decrease)		(281.3)	(162.4)	(348.2)	(510.2)
Income tax impact		4.2	0.0	7.9	0.2
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes		(277.1)	(162.4)	(340.3)	(510.0)
Increase (decrease)		7.5	7.7	20.7	25.8
Income tax impact		(1.7)	(1.8)	(4.9)	(6.1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		5.8	5.9	15.8	19.7
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(271.3)	(156.5)	(324.5)	(490.3)
Ending balance	$ (2,145.4)	(3,115.6)	(2,635.7)	(3,115.6)	(2,635.7)
AOCI attributable to controlling interest
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(270.1)	$ (156.5)	(323.3)	$ (490.3)
Ending balance		(3,088.3)		(3,088.3)
AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		(1.2)		(1.2)
Ending balance		$ (27.3)		$ (27.3)

Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption, Increase (Decrease) to AOCI.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669686-108580

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e681-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669686-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118951672&loc=d3e1436-108581

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109238882&loc=d3e39076-109324

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e640-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118951672&loc=d3e1436-108581

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669625-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before tax of reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669686-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL34724394-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax of reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL34724394-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669686-108580

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118951672&loc=d3e1436-108581

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL34724391-108580

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109238882&loc=d3e39076-109324

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossCashFlowHedgeIncludingNoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: