Stockholders' Equity Components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, net of tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		$ (3,278)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(205)	$ 25		$ (1,090)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(3,474)	(3,278)
Unrealized Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(2,252)	(1,335)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(99)	(942)
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		0	37	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(99)	(905)
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interests and other			(12)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(2,351)	(2,252)		(1,335)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(1,013)	(1,924)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(115)	39
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI	[2]	31	872
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(84)	911
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interests and other			0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(1,097)	(1,013)		(1,924)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(3)	(37)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(27)	35
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI	[2]	(1)	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(28)	34
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interests and other			0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(31)	(3)		(37)
Cash Flow Hedges and Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(10)	(16)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		33	53
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		(18)	(48)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		15	5
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interests and other			1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		$ 5	$ (10)		$ (16)

[1] Included in other (income) and expense, net as part of the charge related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations at December 31, 2015 (see Note 1).

[2] Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 9).