Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2021	Apr. 16, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document type	10-Q
Document quarterly report	true
Document period end date	Apr. 02, 2021
Document transition report	false
Entity file number	001-08089
Entity registrant name	DANAHER CORPORATION
Amendment flag	false
Document fiscal year focus	2021
Document fiscal period focus	Q1
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity central index key	0000313616
Entity incorporation, state code	DE
Entity tax identification number	59-1995548
Entity address, address line one	2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 800W
Entity address, city	Washington,
Entity address, state	DC
Entity address, postal zip code	20037-1701
City area code	202
Local phone number	828-0850
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity interactive data current	Yes
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity small business	false
Entity emerging growth company	false
Entity shell company	false
Entity common stock, shares outstanding		713,278,866
Common stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Trading symbol	DHR
Security exchange name	NYSE
Preferred stock series A
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, without par value
Trading symbol	DHR.PRA
Security exchange name	NYSE
Preferred stock series B
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, without par value
Trading symbol	DHR.PRB
Security exchange name	NYSE
Floating rate senior notes due 2022
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022
Trading symbol	DHR/22A
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.7% senior notes due 2024
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.700% Senior Notes due 2024
Trading symbol	DHR 24
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.5% senior notes due 2025
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	2.500% Senior Notes due 2025
Trading symbol	DHR/25
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.2% senior notes due 2026
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	0.200% Senior Notes due 2026
Trading symbol	DHR/26
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.1% senior notes due 2026
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	2.100% Senior Notes due 2026
Trading symbol	DHR 26
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.2% senior notes due 2027
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.200% Senior Notes due 2027
Trading symbol	DHR/27
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.45% senior notes due 2028
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	0.450% Senior Notes due 2028
Trading symbol	DHR/28
Security exchange name	NYSE
2.5% senior notes due 2030
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	2.500% Senior Notes due 2030
Trading symbol	DHR 30
Security exchange name	NYSE
0.75% senior notes due 2031
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	0.750% Senior Notes due 2031
Trading symbol	DHR/31
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.35% senior notes due 2039
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.350% Senior Notes due 2039
Trading symbol	DHR/39
Security exchange name	NYSE
1.8% senior notes due 2049
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	1.800% Senior Notes due 2049
Trading symbol	DHR/49
Security exchange name	NYSE