Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10	$ 2.04	$ 2.00

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration