Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Consolidated Statement of Income
Net sales	$ 7,409	$ 7,578
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	3,678	3,821
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,493	1,564
Research, development and related expenses	450	463
Total operating expenses	5,621	5,848
Operating income	1,788	1,730
Interest expense and income
Interest expense	47	31
Interest income	(5)	(4)
Total interest expense - net	42	27
Income before income taxes	1,746	1,703
Provision for income taxes	468	502
Net income including noncontrolling interest	1,278	1,201
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	2
Net income attributable to 3M	$ 1,275	$ 1,199
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	607.4	636.2
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.10	$ 1.88
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	621.3	649.2
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.05	$ 1.85
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 1.025