v3.8.0.1

Segment Information Operations in Geographical Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 29, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jul. 01, 2016 | Apr. 01, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales | $ 1,806.7 | $ 1,685.3 | $ 1,628.8 | $ 1,535.2 | $ 1,627.1 | $ 1,567.4 | $ 1,555.1 | $ 1,474.7 | $ 6,656.0 | $ 6,224.3 | $ 6,178.8
Long-lived assets | 7,563.8 |  |  |  | 5,701.1 |  |  |  | 7,563.8 | 5,701.1 | 5,616.5
UNITED STATES |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,636.1 | 3,471.2 | 3,415.8
Long-lived assets | 5,931.2 |  |  |  | 4,480.7 |  |  |  | 5,931.2 | 4,480.7 | 4,333.9
CHINA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 612.1 | 536.0 | 501.4
UNITED KINGDOM |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-lived assets | 405.8 |  |  |  | 353.4 |  |  |  | 405.8 | 353.4 | 359.2
GERMANY |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 307.7 | 268.1 | 268.2
Long-lived assets | 295.9 |  |  |  | 262.7 |  |  |  | 295.9 | 262.7 | 349.1
All other (each country individually less than 5% of total sales) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,100.1 | 1,949.0 | 1,993.4
All other (each country individually less than 5% of total assets) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-lived assets | $ 930.9 |  |  |  | $ 604.3 |  |  |  | $ 930.9 | $ 604.3 | $ 574.3

X
- Definition Long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 41 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9038-108599 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_CN
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_GB
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_DE
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=ftv_CountriesExcludingUnitedStatesChinaandGermanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=ftv_CountriesExcludingUnitedStatesUnitedKingdomandGermanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |