| Document And Entity Information Document And Entity Information | Oct. 24, 2019 |
| Cover page. | |
| Document type | 8-K |
| Document period end date | Oct. 24, 2019 |
| Entity registrant name | DANAHER CORPORATION |
| Amendment flag | false |
| Entity central index key | 0000313616 |
| Entity incorporation, state | DE |
| Entity file number | 001-08089 |
| Entity tax identification number | 59-1995548 |
| Entity address, address line one | 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, |
| Entity address, address line two | 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 |
| Written communications | false |
| Soliciting material | false |
| Pre-commencement tender offer | false |
| Pre-commencement issuer tender offer | false |
| Entity emerging growth company | false |
| Common stock | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | Common stock, $0.01 par value |
| Trading symbol | DHR |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| Preferred stock | |
| Entity Listings [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 |
| Floating rate senior notes due 2022 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022 |
| Trading symbol | DHR F 06/30/22 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 1.7% senior notes due 2022 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 1.700% Senior Notes due 2022 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 1.7 01/04/22 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 2.5% senior notes due 2025 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 2.500% Senior Notes due 2025 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 2.5 07/08/25 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 0.2% senior notes due 2026 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 0.200% Senior Notes due 2026 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 0.2 03/18/26 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 1.2% senior notes due 2027 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 1.200% Senior Notes due 2027 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 1.2 06/30/27 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 0.45% senior notes due 2028 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 0.450% Senior Notes due 2028 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 0.45 03/18/28 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 0.75% senior notes due 2031 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 0.750% Senior Notes due 2031 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 0.75 09/18/31 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 1.35% senior notes due 2039 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 1.350% Senior Notes due 2039 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 1.35 09/18/39 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
| 1.8% senior notes due 2049 | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) security | 1.800% Senior Notes due 2049 |
| Trading symbol | DHR 1.8 09/18/49 |
| Security exchange name | NYSE |
