Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements present the accounts of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest as if they were a single economic entity in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted. Kimberly-Clark’s prior period Consolidated Income Statements and related disclosures have been recast to present the results of the spun-off health care business (see further discussion below) as discontinued operations. Segment results have also been recast to present net sales and operating profit by segment on a continuing operations basis. On October 31, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our health care business, creating a stand-alone, publicly traded health care company, Halyard Health, Inc. ("Halyard"), by distributing 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Halyard to holders of our common stock. See Note 2 for more information. The spun-off health care business is presented as discontinued operations on the Consolidated Income Statement for all periods presented. The health care business' balance sheet, other comprehensive income and cash flows are included within our Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement through October 31, 2014. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, sales incentives and trade promotion allowances, employee postretirement benefits, and deferred income taxes and potential assessments. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less. Inventories and Distribution Costs Most U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method, or market. The balance of the U.S. inventories and inventories of consolidated operations outside the U.S. are valued at the lower of cost, using either the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or weighted-average cost methods, or market. Distribution costs are classified as cost of products sold. Property and Depreciation Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily 40 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily ranging from 16 to 20 years. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing significant computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Computer software costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which generally does not exceed 5 years. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when warranted, changes are made to them. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset group, which are identifiable and largely independent of the cash flows of other asset groups, are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using discounted cash flows or independent appraisals, as appropriate. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and any gain or loss on the transaction is included in income. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing compares the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill with its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows. If the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded. For 2014, we have completed the required annual testing of goodwill for impairment for all reporting units using the first day of the third quarter as the measurement date, and have determined that goodwill is not impaired. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimated useful lives range from 2 to 20 years for trademarks, 5 to 15 years for patents and developed technologies, and 5 to 15 years for other intangible assets. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the fair value (based on discounted future cash flows) and the carrying amount of the asset. Investments in Equity Companies Investments in companies which we do not control but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent-owned by us, are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed net income. These investments are evaluated for impairment when warranted. An impairment loss would be recorded whenever a decline in value of an equity investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging "other than temporary," we would consider the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the equity company investment has been less than the carrying amount, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the equity company, and our longer-term intent of retaining the investment in the equity company. Revenue Recognition Sales revenue is recognized at the time of product shipment or delivery, depending on when title passes, to unaffiliated customers, and when all of the following have occurred: a firm sales agreement is in place, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Sales are reported net of returns, consumer and trade promotions, rebates and freight allowed. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales. Sales Incentives and Trade Promotion Allowances The cost of promotion activities provided to customers is classified as a reduction in sales revenue. In addition, the estimated redemption value of consumer coupons is recorded at the time the coupons are issued and classified as a reduction in sales revenue. Estimates of trade promotion liabilities for promotional program costs incurred, but unpaid, are generally based on estimates of the quantity of customer sales, timing of promotional activities and forecasted costs for activities within the promotional programs. Advertising Expense Advertising costs are expensed in the year the related advertisement or campaign is first presented by the media. For interim reporting purposes, advertising expenses are charged to operations as a percentage of sales based on estimated sales and related advertising expense for the full year. Research Expense Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Foreign Currency Translation The income statements of foreign operations, other than those in highly inflationary economies, are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect each month. The balance sheets of these operations are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected in stockholders' equity as unrealized translation adjustments. The income statements and balance sheets of operations in highly inflationary economies are translated into U.S. dollars using both current and historical rates of exchange. We account for our operations in Venezuela using highly inflationary accounting. On February 13, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of the Central Bank of Venezuela ("Central Bank") regulated currency exchange system rate to 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and the elimination of the SITME rate. As a result of the devaluation, we recorded a $26 after-tax charge ($36 pre-tax) related to the remeasurement of the local currency-denominated balance sheet to the new exchange rate in the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Prior to this devaluation, we used the Central Bank SITME rate of 5.4 bolivars per U.S. dollar to measure K-C Venezuela's bolivar-denominated transactions into U.S. dollars. The $36 pre-tax charge is reflected in the Consolidated Income Statement in other (income) and expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2013. During March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a complementary currency exchange system, SICAD. Participation in SICAD is controlled by the Venezuelan government. SICAD is intended to function as an auction system, allowing entities in specific sectors to bid for U.S. dollars to be used for specified import transactions. In February 2014, the president of Venezuela announced that another floating rate exchange system (referred to as SICAD II) would be initiated. Initial exchanges under SICAD II began on March 24, 2014. We have historically measured results in Venezuela at the rate in which we transact our business. We have qualified for access to the official exchange rate because we manufacture and sell price-controlled products. Since March 2013, exchange transactions have taken place through letters of credit which resulted in an effective exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and through approved transactions using the regulated currency exchange system, which were also at a 6.3 exchange rate. To date, we have not been invited to participate in SICAD, and we did not seek exchange at SICAD II because we qualify for the more favorable official 6.3 rate and have chosen to pursue exchange at that rate. Through December 31, 2014, we continued to manufacture and sell products in Venezuela as well as import raw materials and finished goods under approved foreign exchange transactions. However, recent government approvals for imports under letters of credit have not been at a level sufficient to sustain all of our manufacturing capabilities in Venezuela. During December 2014, the volume of exchange transactions approved at the 6.3 exchange rate decreased significantly, and we experienced some level of production curtailment during the fourth quarter of 2014. We continued to measure results at the 6.3 rate through December 2014, however, we are uncertain whether approved exchange transactions at the 6.3 exchange rate will recover to previous levels. Given the level of uncertainty and lack of liquidity in Venezuela, in part due to recent declines in the price of oil, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 at the year end floating SICAD II exchange rate of 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar as we believe this was the most accessible rate available in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $462 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended December 31, 2014, with $41 recorded in cost of products sold and $421 recorded in other (income) and expense, net. At December 31, 2014, K-C Venezuela had a bolivar-denominated net monetary asset position (primarily cash) of $59 and our net investment in K-C Venezuela was $152, both valued at 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Net sales of K-C Venezuela represented approximately 3 percent of consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 and approximately 2 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. While we continue to seek approval for additional imports at the official rate, unless we are able to obtain further approvals for imports through approved letters of credit or through the official government exchange system, we may be forced to curtail some or all of our local manufacturing in the future until such approvals to import additional raw materials are forthcoming. In January 2015, we measured results in Venezuela at the floating SICAD II exchange rate. In mid-February 2015, the government of Venezuela announced changes to their three-tiered currency exchange system. We are evaluating the implications of these changes to assess the impact on our results and reporting for our operations in that country. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Our policies allow the use of derivatives for risk management purposes and prohibit their use for speculation. Our policies also prohibit the use of any leveraged derivative instrument. Consistent with our policies, foreign currency derivative instruments, interest rate swaps and locks, and the majority of commodity hedging contracts are entered into with major financial institutions. At inception we formally designate certain derivatives as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges and establish how the effectiveness of these hedges will be assessed and measured. This process links the derivatives to the transactions or financial balances they are hedging. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings as they occur. All derivative instruments are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are either recorded in the income statement or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are included in income in the period that changes in fair value occur. The effective portion of the gain or loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is included in other comprehensive income in the period that changes in fair value occur, and is reclassified to income in the same period that the hedged item affects income. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as hedges of investments in foreign subsidiaries is recognized in other comprehensive income to offset the change in value of the net investments being hedged. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges and net investment hedges is immediately recognized in income. Certain foreign-currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments have been entered into to manage a portion of our foreign currency transactional exposures. The gain or loss on these derivatives is included in income in the period that changes in their fair values occur. See Note 15 for disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. New Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are not yet known.

Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements present the accounts of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest as if they were a single economic entity in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted. Kimberly-Clark’s prior period Consolidated Income Statements and related disclosures have been recast to present the results of the spun-off health care business (see further discussion below) as discontinued operations. Segment results have also been recast to present net sales and operating profit by segment on a continuing operations basis.

On October 31, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our health care business, creating a stand-alone, publicly traded health care company, Halyard Health, Inc. ("Halyard"), by distributing 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Halyard to holders of our common stock. See Note 2 for more information. The spun-off health care business is presented as discontinued operations on the Consolidated Income Statement for all periods presented. The health care business' balance sheet, other comprehensive income and cash flows are included within our Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement through October 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, sales incentives and trade promotion allowances, employee postretirement benefits, and deferred income taxes and potential assessments.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less.

Inventories and Distribution Costs

Most U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method, or market. The balance of the U.S. inventories and inventories of consolidated operations outside the U.S. are valued at the lower of cost, using either the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or weighted-average cost methods, or market. Distribution costs are classified as cost of products sold.

Property and Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily 40 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily ranging from 16 to 20 years. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing significant computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Computer software costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which generally does not exceed 5 years.

Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when warranted, changes are made to them. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset group, which are identifiable and largely independent of the cash flows of other asset groups, are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using discounted cash flows or independent appraisals, as appropriate. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and any gain or loss on the transaction is included in income.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing compares the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill with its fair value. Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows. If the reporting unit carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded. For 2014, we have completed the required annual testing of goodwill for impairment for all reporting units using the first day of the third quarter as the measurement date, and have determined that goodwill is not impaired.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimated useful lives range from 2 to 20 years for trademarks, 5 to 15 years for patents and developed technologies, and 5 to 15 years for other intangible assets. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the fair value (based on discounted future cash flows) and the carrying amount of the asset.

Investments in Equity Companies

Investments in companies which we do not control but over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent-owned by us, are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed net income. These investments are evaluated for impairment when warranted. An impairment loss would be recorded whenever a decline in value of an equity investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging "other than temporary," we would consider the length of time and extent to which the fair value of the equity company investment has been less than the carrying amount, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the equity company, and our longer-term intent of retaining the investment in the equity company.

Revenue Recognition

Sales revenue is recognized at the time of product shipment or delivery, depending on when title passes, to unaffiliated customers, and when all of the following have occurred: a firm sales agreement is in place, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Sales are reported net of returns, consumer and trade promotions, rebates and freight allowed. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales.

Sales Incentives and Trade Promotion Allowances

The cost of promotion activities provided to customers is classified as a reduction in sales revenue. In addition, the estimated redemption value of consumer coupons is recorded at the time the coupons are issued and classified as a reduction in sales revenue. Estimates of trade promotion liabilities for promotional program costs incurred, but unpaid, are generally based on estimates of the quantity of customer sales, timing of promotional activities and forecasted costs for activities within the promotional programs.

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are expensed in the year the related advertisement or campaign is first presented by the media. For interim reporting purposes, advertising expenses are charged to operations as a percentage of sales based on estimated sales and related advertising expense for the full year.

Research Expense

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Foreign Currency Translation

The income statements of foreign operations, other than those in highly inflationary economies, are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect each month. The balance sheets of these operations are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected in stockholders' equity as unrealized translation adjustments.

The income statements and balance sheets of operations in highly inflationary economies are translated into U.S. dollars using both current and historical rates of exchange. We account for our operations in Venezuela using highly inflationary accounting. On February 13, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of the Central Bank of Venezuela ("Central Bank") regulated currency exchange system rate to 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and the elimination of the SITME rate. As a result of the devaluation, we recorded a $26 after-tax charge ($36 pre-tax) related to the remeasurement of the local currency-denominated balance sheet to the new exchange rate in the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Prior to this devaluation, we used the Central Bank SITME rate of 5.4 bolivars per U.S. dollar to measure K-C Venezuela's bolivar-denominated transactions into U.S. dollars. The $36 pre-tax charge is reflected in the Consolidated Income Statement in other (income) and expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2013.

During March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a complementary currency exchange system, SICAD. Participation in SICAD is controlled by the Venezuelan government. SICAD is intended to function as an auction system, allowing entities in specific sectors to bid for U.S. dollars to be used for specified import transactions. In February 2014, the president of Venezuela announced that another floating rate exchange system (referred to as SICAD II) would be initiated. Initial exchanges under SICAD II began on March 24, 2014.

We have historically measured results in Venezuela at the rate in which we transact our business. We have qualified for access to the official exchange rate because we manufacture and sell price-controlled products. Since March 2013, exchange transactions have taken place through letters of credit which resulted in an effective exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and through approved transactions using the regulated currency exchange system, which were also at a 6.3 exchange rate. To date, we have not been invited to participate in SICAD, and we did not seek exchange at SICAD II because we qualify for the more favorable official 6.3 rate and have chosen to pursue exchange at that rate.

Through December 31, 2014, we continued to manufacture and sell products in Venezuela as well as import raw materials and finished goods under approved foreign exchange transactions. However, recent government approvals for imports under letters of credit have not been at a level sufficient to sustain all of our manufacturing capabilities in Venezuela. During December 2014, the volume of exchange transactions approved at the 6.3 exchange rate decreased significantly, and we experienced some level of production curtailment during the fourth quarter of 2014. We continued to measure results at the 6.3 rate through December 2014, however, we are uncertain whether approved exchange transactions at the 6.3 exchange rate will recover to previous levels. Given the level of uncertainty and lack of liquidity in Venezuela, in part due to recent declines in the price of oil, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 at the year end floating SICAD II exchange rate of 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar as we believe this was the most accessible rate available in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $462 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended December 31, 2014, with $41 recorded in cost of products sold and $421 recorded in other (income) and expense, net.

At December 31, 2014, K-C Venezuela had a bolivar-denominated net monetary asset position (primarily cash) of $59 and our net investment in K-C Venezuela was $152, both valued at 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar. Net sales of K-C Venezuela represented approximately 3 percent of consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 and approximately 2 percent of consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

While we continue to seek approval for additional imports at the official rate, unless we are able to obtain further approvals for imports through approved letters of credit or through the official government exchange system, we may be forced to curtail some or all of our local manufacturing in the future until such approvals to import additional raw materials are forthcoming. In January 2015, we measured results in Venezuela at the floating SICAD II exchange rate. In mid-February 2015, the government of Venezuela announced changes to their three-tiered currency exchange system. We are evaluating the implications of these changes to assess the impact on our results and reporting for our operations in that country.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging

Our policies allow the use of derivatives for risk management purposes and prohibit their use for speculation. Our policies also prohibit the use of any leveraged derivative instrument. Consistent with our policies, foreign currency derivative instruments, interest rate swaps and locks, and the majority of commodity hedging contracts are entered into with major financial institutions. At inception we formally designate certain derivatives as cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges and establish how the effectiveness of these hedges will be assessed and measured. This process links the derivatives to the transactions or financial balances they are hedging. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings as they occur. All derivative instruments are recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are either recorded in the income statement or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are included in income in the period that changes in fair value occur. The effective portion of the gain or loss on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is included in other comprehensive income in the period that changes in fair value occur, and is reclassified to income in the same period that the hedged item affects income. The gain or loss on derivatives designated as hedges of investments in foreign subsidiaries is recognized in other comprehensive income to offset the change in value of the net investments being hedged. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges and net investment hedges is immediately recognized in income. Certain foreign-currency derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments have been entered into to manage a portion of our foreign currency transactional exposures. The gain or loss on these derivatives is included in income in the period that changes in their fair values occur. See Note 15 for disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are not yet known.