Stockholders' Equity Components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, net of tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		$ (3,294)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		132	$ (3)	$ (237)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(3,172)	(3,294)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Defined benefit and Other postretirement benefit plans, tax effect	[1]	(20)	(13)	(165)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Defined benefit and Other postretirement benefit plans, tax effect	[1]	8	10	(28)
Unrealized Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(2,271)	(2,297)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		114	26
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		114	26
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(2,157)	(2,271)	(2,297)
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		(979)	(1,017)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		4	(27)
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI	[2]	63	65
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		67	38
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(912)	(979)	(1,017)
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		(13)	12
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(26)	(24)
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI	[2]	(1)	(1)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(27)	(25)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(40)	(13)	12
Cash Flow Hedges and Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance		(31)	3
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(31)	(22)
(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		(1)	(12)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(32)	(34)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance		(63)	(31)	3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax	[1]	7	6	(23)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Unrealized translation, tax effect	[1]	16	5	(25)
Unrealized translation, tax effect	[1]	$ 16	$ 5	$ (25)

[1] The Tax effect for Unrealized translation, Defined benefit pension plans, Other postretirement benefit plans and Cash flow hedges and other includes reductions of $18, $125, $5 and $8, respectively, for stranded tax effects reclassified from AOCI to Retained earnings in 2018.

[2] Included in computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefits costs (see Note 7).