IDEXX Retirement And Incentive Savings Plan (Details) - 401(k) Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Retirement And Incentive Savings Plan [Line Items]
Contribution match, maximum percent of participants' eligible compensation	4.00%
Employer contributions	$ 12.5	$ 11.5	$ 8.8
Discretionary contributions	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0