Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 shares
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Entity File Number	1-2189
Entity Registrant Name	ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-0698440
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IL
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 Abbott Park Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Abbott Park
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60064-6400
City Area Code	224
Local Phone Number	667-6100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, Without Par Value
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,772,361,581
Entity Central Index Key	0000001800
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
New York Stock Exchange
Document and Entity Information
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	ABT
Chicago Stock Exchange
Document and Entity Information
Security Exchange Name	CHX