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Document and Entity Information
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Apr. 29, 2015
Entity Registrant Name BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000012208  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Common Class A [Member]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   24,017,399dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
Common Class B [Member]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   5,116,828dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonClassBMember