Supplemental Equity and Comprehensive Income Information (Details 7) (3M India Limited)	Mar. 31, 2013
3M India Limited
Transactions with 3M India Limited
3M's effective ownership before transaction (as a percent)	76.00%
3M's effective ownership after transaction (as a percent)	75.00%
Minimum percentage of public shareholding required by an amendment to Indian Securities regulations to comply with the sale of shares for 3M India Limited	25.00%

This percentage relates to an amendment to Indian securities regulation that requires a minimum of 25% of public shareholding to remain compliant and continue to list on their local exchange for an entity (3M India Limited).

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_PercentageRequiredByAmendmentIndianRegulatoryForSaleOfShares
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant