Adjustment to additional paid in capital related to the net effect of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with an equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

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

- Definition

For convertible debt instruments that contain a separately classified equity component, an amount should be presented in temporary equity only if the instrument is currently redeemable or convertible at the balance sheet date for cash or other assets. The portion of the equity-classified component that is presented in temporary equity is measured as the excess of (1) the amount of cash or other assets that would be required to be paid to the holder upon redemption or conversion at the balance sheet date over (2) the carrying value of the liability-classified component of the convertible debt instrument at the balance sheet date. This element represents the offsetting equity effect to year-to-date adjustments to the amount presented in temporary equity due to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. Codification 480-10-S99-3A (16d).

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of consideration paid on settlement of convertible debt allocated to equity component of the convertible debt instrument.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of common stock issued during the period upon exercise of warrants.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the value of unvested shares forfeited by employees and shares withheld from employees to cover payroll taxes on exercise gain.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the value of shares withheld upon exercise of warrants to pay the exercise price.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Equity impact of the par value of shares of common and preferred stock retired from treasury during the period. This element is used only when Treasury Stock is accounted for under the cost versus the par value method.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 31
-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock options, amortization of restricted stock, and adjustment for officers compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A3
-Appendix A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of stock issued during the period upon the conversion of convertible securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 129
-Paragraph 4, 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of stock issued during the period as a result of any share-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 1
-Section B
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph b

+ Details

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

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Common Stock, $1 Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2007		$ 439.3	$ 12,273.6	$ 2,519.6	$ (1,157.3)	$ 388.4
Issuance of shares for conversion of debt		0.1
Retirement of treasury shares		(25.0)	(1,193.2)		1,218.2
Issuance of shares upon exercise of warrants		3.3	12.7
Issuance of shares under employees' and directors' stock plans		4.1	88.2
Settlement of convertible debt			(0.2)
Stock-based compensation	56.4		57.1
Tax benefit related to employees' and directors' stock plans	25.1		25.1
Reclassification from temporary equity			38.0
Net Income	980.9			980.9
Purchases of company common stock	(187.4)				(187.4)
Other comprehensive items	(534.2)					(534.2)
Shares received for exercise of warrants					(16.0)
Activity under employees' and directors' stock plans					(8.8)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2008	14,926.5	421.8	11,301.3	3,500.5	(151.3)	(145.8)
Retirement of treasury shares		0	0		0
Issuance of shares under employees' and directors' stock plans		2.1	63.4
Settlement of convertible debt			(312.8)
Stock-based compensation	67.0		68.1
Tax benefit related to employees' and directors' stock plans	(1.6)		(1.6)
Reclassification from temporary equity			22.3
Net Income	850.3			850.3
Purchases of company common stock	(414.6)				(414.6)
Other comprehensive items	237.8					237.8
Activity under employees' and directors' stock plans					(10.6)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2009	15,430.9	423.9	11,140.7	4,350.8	(576.5)	92.0
Retirement of treasury shares		(25.0)	(1,081.3)		1,106.3
Issuance of shares under employees' and directors' stock plans		2.9	80.5
Settlement of convertible debt			(216.1)
Stock-based compensation	81.8		83.1
Tax benefit related to employees' and directors' stock plans	10.9		10.9
Reclassification from temporary equity			1.9
Net Income	1,035.6			1,035.6
Purchases of company common stock	(1,012.5)				(1,012.5)
Other comprehensive items	(48.4)					(48.4)
Activity under employees' and directors' stock plans					(7.8)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 15,361.0	$ 401.8	$ 10,019.7	$ 5,386.4	$ (490.5)	$ 43.6