Financing (Covenants and Redemption Provisions Applicable to the Notes and the 2016 Bonds) (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Bonds \| 2016 Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, percentage of principal amount redeemed, threshold	85.00%
Senior notes \| 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of notes' principal in addition to accrued interest that redemption price must equal or be greater than if a credit downgrade or change in control occurs	101.00%

Percentage of redeemed or purchased and canceled 2016 Bonds, before the Company may redeem some or all of the remaining 2016 Bonds for their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

No definition available.

Name:	dhr_DebtInstrumentPercentageofRedeemedOrPurchasedAndCanceled2016Bonds
Namespace Prefix:	dhr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration