Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 03, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
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 Registrant Name	BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000014272
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,257,510,796
Entity Public Float			$ 74,102,479,936
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-01136
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-0790350
1.000% Notes due 2025 [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.000% Notes due 2025
Trading Symbol	BMY25
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.750% Notes due 2035 [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.750% Notes due 2035
Trading Symbol	BMY35
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Bristol Myers Squibb Contingent Value Rights [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Bristol-Myers Squibb Contingent Value Rights
Trading Symbol	BMY RT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Celgene Contingent Value Rights [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Celgene Contingent Value Rights
Trading Symbol	CELG RT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock $0.10 Par Value [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value
Trading Symbol	BMY
Security Exchange Name	NYSE