Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Income
Net sales	$ 7,712	$ 8,137	$ 22,976	$ 24,102
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	3,877	4,205	11,556	12,420
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,530	1,597	4,644	4,875
Research, development and related expenses	429	434	1,330	1,334
Total operating expenses	5,836	6,236	17,530	18,629
Operating income	1,876	1,901	5,446	5,473
Interest expense and income
Interest expense	38	28	104	110
Interest income	(7)	(7)	(18)	(25)
Total interest expense - net	31	21	86	85
Income before income taxes	1,845	1,880	5,360	5,388
Provision for income taxes	547	569	1,558	1,569
Net income including noncontrolling interest	1,298	1,311	3,802	3,819
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	8	7	42
Net income attributable to 3M	$ 1,296	$ 1,303	$ 3,795	$ 3,777
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	620.6	645.3	629.4	652.9
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.09	$ 2.02	$ 6.03	$ 5.78
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	631.2	657.9	641.2	665.7
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.05	$ 1.98	$ 5.92	$ 5.67
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.025	$ 0.855	$ 3.075	$ 2.565