Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2017	May 04, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PERKINELMER INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000031791
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 02, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		110,039,013
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes