Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 shares
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,232,843,755
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity File Number	001-01136
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	2,232,843,755
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
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
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
Celgene Contingent Value Rights [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Celgene Contingent Value Rights
Trading Symbol	CELG RT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE