Additional Balance Sheet Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Warranty Obligation Roll Forward
Beginning Balance	$ 45.2	$ 44.1
Provision charged to income	40.8	38.9
Usage	(42.7)	(40.6)
Adjustments to previously provided warranties, net	(1.5)	1.9
Other, net	(0.1)	0.9
Ending Balance	41.7	45.2	44.1
Investments Detail [Abstract]
Cost Method Investments	10.6	10.4
Inventories
Raw Materials	281.6	261.0
Work in Process	108.4	115.3
Finished Goods	782.9	753.1
Inventories	1,172.9	1,129.4
LIFO Method Inventories
Value of inventories maintained using LIFO method	152.3	164.1
Excess of replacement costs over stated LIFO value	18.9	17.4
Reduction in cost of revenues as a result of the liquidation of LIFO inventories	0.9	1.4	0.2
Other Assets
Purchases of products for resale from joint venture	44.0	45.1	47.2
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations	22.5	22.4
Advertising
Capitalized direct-response advertising costs	3.7	6.3
Advertising expense	27.2	31.1	35.0
Amortization of capitalized direct-response advertising costs included in advertising expense	$ 6.8	$ 11.1	$ 13.1

Name:	tmo_AdvertisingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tmo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of capitalized direct-response advertising over the assets' useful lives.

+ Details

Name:	tmo_DeferredAdvertisingCostsAmortizationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	tmo
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	tmo_InvestmentsDetailAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tmo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	tmo_OtherAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tmo
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total increase (decrease) in the standard and extended product warranty liability due to currency translation and other items, net.

+ Details

Name:	tmo_ProductWarrantyAccrualOtherIncreaseDecreaseNet
Namespace Prefix:	tmo
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 143
-Paragraph 3, 10, 22

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the aggregate carrying amount of all cost-method investments as reported on or included in the balance sheet. The original cost of the investments may differ from the aggregate carrying amount disclosed due to various adjustments such as: (i) dividends received in excess of earnings after the date of investment that are considered a return of investment and therefore recorded as reductions to cost of the investment, or (ii) a series of operating losses of an investee or other factors which may indicate that a decrease in value of the investment has occurred which is other than temporary and should accordingly be recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph a

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph a

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 18
-Subparagraph a

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The costs of direct-response advertising whose primary purpose is to elicit sales to customers who could be shown to have responded specifically to the advertising and that results in probable future benefits and are reported as assets net of accumulated amortization.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-7
-Paragraph 28, 49

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredAdvertisingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The effect of liquidating LIFO (last in first out) inventory layers on income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 11
-Section F

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectOfLIFOInventoryLiquidationOnIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The excess of replacement or current cost over the stated LIFO (last in first out) inventory value when the LIFO inventory method is utilized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph c
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoods
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unprocessed items to be consumed in the manufacturing or production process. Also includes purchased parts that will be used as components of a finished product.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterials
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods which are partially completed, are generally comprised of raw materials, labor and factory overhead costs, and which require further materials, labor and overhead to be converted into finished goods, and which generally require the use of estimates to determine percentage complete and pricing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of LIFO (last in first out) inventory present at the reporting date when inventory is also valued using different valuation methods.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 3
-Section A
-Paragraph 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LIFOInventoryAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LIFOMethodRelatedItemsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MovementInStandardAndExtendedProductWarrantyIncreaseDecreaseRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for estimated claims under standard and extended warranty protection rights granted to customers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph 5
-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate decrease in the liability related to payments to satisfy claims for standard and extended product warranties.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate increase (decrease) in the liability during the reporting period for accruals related to preexisting standard and extended product warranties (including adjustments for changes in estimates).

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualPreexistingIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard and extended product warranties issued during the reporting period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Expenses recognized during the period resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 57
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph c

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration