| Schedule of Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] |
Net income per share from continuing operations was computed as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | | September 28, 2018 | | September 29, 2017 | | September 28, 2018 | | September 29, 2017 | | (In thousands, except share data) | Computation of Net income per share from continuing operations: | | | | | | | | Net income from continuing operations attributable to Colfax Corporation (1)
| $ | 34,006 |
| | $ | 43,781 |
| | $ | 125,564 |
| | $ | 116,010 |
| Weighted-average shares of Common stock outstanding - basic | 117,709,725 |
| | 123,260,978 |
| | 121,283,339 |
| | 123,187,447 |
| Net income per share from continuing operations - basic | $ | 0.29 |
| | $ | 0.36 |
| | $ | 1.04 |
| | $ | 0.94 |
| Computation of Net income per share from continuing operations - diluted: | | | | | | | | Net income from continuing operations attributable to Colfax Corporation (1)
| $ | 34,006 |
| | $ | 43,781 |
| | $ | 125,564 |
| | $ | 116,010 |
| Weighted-average shares of Common stock outstanding - basic | 117,709,725 |
| | 123,260,978 |
| | 121,283,339 |
| | 123,187,447 |
| Net effect of potentially dilutive securities - stock options and restricted stock units | 747,211 |
| | 819,826 |
| | 518,179 |
| | 760,315 |
| Weighted-average shares of Common stock outstanding - diluted | 118,456,936 |
| | 124,080,804 |
| | 121,801,518 |
| | 123,947,762 |
| Net income per share from continuing operations - diluted | $ | 0.29 |
| | $ | 0.35 |
| | $ | 1.03 |
| | $ | 0.94 |
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(1) Net income from continuing operations attributable to Colfax Corporation for the respective periods is calculated using Net income from continuing operations less the income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of taxes.
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