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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (Commercial Litigation - TransWeb Corporation, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Patent
Claim
Commercial Litigation - TransWeb Corporation
  
Loss contingencies  
Number of counts jury did not rule in favor of Transweb 1mmm_NumberOfCountsJuryDidNotRuleInFavorOfTransweb
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= mmm_CommercialLitigationTranswebCorporationMember
Number of 3M patents unenforceable due to inequitable conduct 2mmm_NumberOfPatentsUnenforceable
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= mmm_CommercialLitigationTranswebCorporationMember
Potential maximum loss exposure due to judgment against 3M $ 26us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= mmm_CommercialLitigationTranswebCorporationMember
Accrued loss contingency reserve $ 0us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= mmm_CommercialLitigationTranswebCorporationMember