Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 23, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-10961
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-2573850
Entity Address, Address Line One	9975 Summers Ridge Road
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92121
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	552-1100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
Trading Symbol	QDEL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
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		42,067,646
Entity Registrant Name	QUIDEL CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000353569
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false