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Additional Accounting Policy and Balance Sheet Disclosures (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Advertising [Abstract]      
Advertising Expense $ 47.7us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense $ 33.2us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense $ 39.5us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Direct-response Advertising Costs, Expected Period of Benefit generally one to three years    
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]      
Asset Retirement Obligation 39.0us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation 28.2us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]      
Notional Amount Of Derivatives 3,740.0invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount 2,030.0invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount  
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss) [Abstract]      
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax 33.0us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax (16.6)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax (11.0)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Investments [Abstract]      
Available-for-sale Securities 8.7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities 14.3us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities  
Available-for-Sale Investments, Maximum Ownership Percentage 20.00%tmo_AvailableForSaleInvestmentsMaximumOwnershipPercentage    
Cost Method Investments 38.5us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments 13.7us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments  
Minimum [Member]      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 20.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Maximum [Member]      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Joint Ventures [Member]      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Purchases of Products for Resale from Joint Venture 46.2us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
46.6us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
48.3us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Joint Ventures [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 49.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
   
Joint Ventures [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
   
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges [Member]      
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]      
Notional Amount Of Derivatives $ 0invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember