Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This amount represents the notes that were issued and outstanding at the end of the period reported under the medium term note program that has been re-commenced as of June 2014 medium term note shelf registration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mmm_Issuednotesoutstandingaspartofmediumtermnotesprogramestablishedwithshelfregistration
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of the medium-term notes program the reporting entity established in connection with a "well-known seasoned issuer" shelf registration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mmm_MediumTermNotesProgramEstablishedWithShelfRegistration
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of interest rate swap contracts entered into during the period after a debt issuance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mmm_NumberOfInterestRateSwapContractsEnteredInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_MediumTermNotesProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FixedRateMediumTermNoteDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FixedRateMediumTermNoteDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FixedRateMediumTermNoteDue2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FloatingRateEuroMediumTermNoteDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FixedRateEuroMediumTermNoteDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mmm_FixedRateEuroMediumTermNoteDue2030Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($) DerivativeInstrument	May. 31, 2015 EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	May. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Interest rate swap contracts
Long-Term Debt
Number Of Interest Rate Swap Contracts Entered In Period \| DerivativeInstrument	2
Medium-term notes program
Long-Term Debt
Medium-term notes program established in connection with a "well-known seasoned issuer" shelf registration				$ 9,000
Amount issued and outstanding as part of the medium-term note program (Series F)			$ 8,170
Fixed rate medium term note due 2018
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount	$ 450
Term of debt instrument	3 years
Interest rate, stated percentage (as a percent)	1.375%
Fixed rate medium term note due 2018 \| Interest rate swap contracts
Long-Term Debt
Derivative notional amount	$ 450
Fixed rate medium term note due 2020
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount	$ 500
Term of debt instrument	5 years
Interest rate, stated percentage (as a percent)	2.00%
Fixed rate medium term note due 2020 \| Interest rate swap contracts
Long-Term Debt
Derivative notional amount	$ 300
Fixed rate medium term note due 2025
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount	$ 550
Term of debt instrument	10 years
Interest rate, stated percentage (as a percent)	3.00%
Floating rate Euro medium term note due 2020
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount \| €		€ 650
Term of debt instrument		5 years
Fixed rate Euro medium term note due 2023
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount \| €		€ 600
Term of debt instrument		8 years
Interest rate, stated percentage (as a percent)		0.95%
Fixed rate Euro medium term note due 2030
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount \| €		€ 500
Term of debt instrument		15 years
Interest rate, stated percentage (as a percent)		1.75%