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NATURE OF OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	NATURE OF OPERATIONS Affymetrix, Inc. ("Affymetrix" or the "Company") is a provider of life science products and molecular diagnostic products that enable multiplex and parallel analysis of biological systems at the gene, protein and cell level. The Company sells products to genomic research centers, academic institutions, government and private laboratories, as well as pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. The Company also sells its products principally through third party distributors that specialize in life science supply in Mexico, India, Brazil, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, including China.