Name:	tmo_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesBeforeValuationAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	tmo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred tax asset attributable to taxable temporary differences from other capitalized costs not separately disclosed.

No definition available.

Name:	tmo_DeferredTaxAssetsOtherCapitalizedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	tmo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, and the basis of long-lived assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The basis difference, whether due to impairment charges or other reasons, will increase future taxable income when it reverses.

No definition available.

Name:	tmo_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	tmo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from hedging transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28680-109314

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsHedgingTransactions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from inventory.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences not separately disclosed.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to other deductible tax carryforwards not separately disclosed.

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOtherTaxCarryforwards
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from compensation and benefits costs.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28680-109314

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from reserves and accruals.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28680-109314

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards after valuation allowances.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31931-109318