Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000014272
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,632,198,774
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false