Name:	mmm_AdditionalSharesApprovedUnderShareBasedCompensationArrangementNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Shareholders approve the number of shares to be awarded under 3Ms Long Term Incentive Plan. Awards denominated in shares count against the approved share limit as a certain number of shares for every one share covered by such award, which varies depending on the grant date of the award. This element covers shares awarded with grant dates prior to May 11, 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsNumberOfSharesCountedAgainstApprovedShareLimitForEveryOneShareCoveredByAward1
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsNumberOfSharesCountedAgainstApprovedShareLimitForEveryOneShareCoveredByAward2
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsNumberOfSharesCountedAgainstApprovedShareLimitForEveryOneShareCoveredByAward3
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percent of stock-based compensation related to retiree-eligible population.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpensePortionAttributableToRetireeEligiblePopulationPercent
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The age at which employees of the entity are eligible for retirement, which combined with reaching years of service triggers expense recognition of share based compensation expense, in years.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpenseRecognitionEligibleForRetirementAge
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of years of service which combined with reaching eligible retirement age triggers expense recognition of share based compensation expense, in years.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpenseRecognitionYearsOfServiceNumber
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The period of time after the grant date at which share-based compensation awards expire, expressed in years.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The vesting period for awards granted with the May 2005 annual grant and subsequent.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The vesting period for awards under the entity's share based plans, prior to the May 2005 annual grant.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingPeriodPriorToMay2005MSOP
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsSharebasedPaymentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901