Cover page - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 05, 2021	Jul. 03, 2020
Cover Page [Line Items]
Document type	10-K
Document annual report	true
Document period end date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document transition report	false
Entity file number	001-08089
Entity registrant name	DANAHER CORPORATION
Amendment flag	false
Document fiscal year focus	2020
Document fiscal period focus	FY
Entity central index key	0000313616
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity incorporation, state or country code	DE
Entity tax identification number	59-1995548
Entity address, address line one	2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 800W
Entity address, city or town	Washington,
Entity address, state or province	DC
Entity address, postal zip code	20037-1701
City area code	202
Local phone number	828-0850
Title of 12(g) security	NONE
Entity well-known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity voluntary filers	No
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
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity shell company	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		712,204,198
Entity public float			$ 113.2
Common stock
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR
Title of 12(b) security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Security exchange name	NYSE
Series A Preferred Stock
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR.PRA
Title of 12(b) security	4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, without par value
Security exchange name	NYSE
Series B Preferred Stock
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR.PRB
Title of 12(b) security	5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, without par value
Security exchange name	NYSE
Floating rate senior notes due 2022
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/22A
Title of 12(b) security	Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.7% senior notes due 2024
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR 24
Title of 12(b) security	1.700% Senior Notes due 2024
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.5% senior notes due 2025
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/25
Title of 12(b) security	2.500% Senior Notes due 2025
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.2% senior notes due 2026
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/26
Title of 12(b) security	0.200% Senior Notes due 2026
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.1% senior notes due 2026
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR 26
Title of 12(b) security	2.100% Senior Notes due 2026
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.2% senior notes due 2027
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/27
Title of 12(b) security	1.200% Senior Notes due 2027
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.45% senior notes due 2028
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/28
Title of 12(b) security	0.450% Senior Notes due 2028
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.5% senior notes due 2030
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR 30
Title of 12(b) security	2.500% Senior Notes due 2030
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.75% senior notes due 2031
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/31
Title of 12(b) security	0.750% Senior Notes due 2031
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.35% senior notes due 2039
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/39
Title of 12(b) security	1.350% Senior Notes due 2039
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.8% senior notes due 2049
Cover Page [Line Items]
Trading symbol	DHR/49
Title of 12(b) security	1.800% Senior Notes due 2049
Security exchange name	NYSE