Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	3M CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000066740
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	691,319,463
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2