The amount of acquisition for the remaining non-controlling interest of a subsidiary.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_AmountOfAcquistionForRemainingNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The acquired remaining percentage of Sumitomo 3M Limited from Sumitomo Electric Industries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The ownership percent of the subsidiary held by the entity before the transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase in noncontrolling interest from sale of a portion of the parent's controlling interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Supplemental Equity and Comprehensive Income Information (Details 4)	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 3M India Limited	Sep. 30, 2014 Sumitomo 3M Limited JPY (¥)
Transactions with 3M subsidiaries that have non controlling interests
3M's effective ownership before transaction (as a percent)				76.00%
3M's effective ownership after transaction (as a percent)				75.00%	100.00%
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%
Sale of subsidiary shares	$ 8,000,000	$ 7,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Percent of interest acquired of Sumitomo 3M Limited					25.00%
Amount of acquisition for remaining non-controlling interest					¥ 90,000,000,000