2.4.0.82401402 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)truefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$D2013Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000913077duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1false 4affx_BeginningAociBalanceaffx_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodStartLabel1truefalsefalse63020006302USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryBeginning balance of accumulated OCI.No definition available.false2Beginning AOCI Balance2false 4affx_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxaffx_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse-664000-664USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) during the period before reclassification adjustments.No definition available.false2(Decrease)/ Increase3false 4affx_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxaffx_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse-796000-796USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax amount of reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.No definition available.false2Reclassification Adjustments4false 4affx_EndingAociBalanceaffx_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodEndLabel1truefalsefalse48420004842USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryEnding balance of accumulated OCI.No definition available.false2Ending AOCI Balance5false 2us-gaap_GainOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse200000200USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gain recognized in earnings during the reporting period representing the amount of the cash flow hedges' ineffectiveness.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. 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definition available.false2Ending AOCI Balance1Net gain recognized in Interest income and other, net.2Net gain recognized in Revenue, except for $0.2 million gain that was recognized in Interest income and other, net due to hedging ineffectiveness. See Note 4. “Financial Instruments–Derivative Financial Instruments” for further information.falseSUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.affymetrix.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails120