Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value
Trading Symbol	BMY
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity File Number	1-1136
Entity Registrant Name	BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB CO
Entity Address, Address Line One	430 E. 29th Street, 14FL
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10016
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	546-4000
Entity Central Index Key	0000014272
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-0790350
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,635,766,530
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false