Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statement of Income
Net sales	$ 7,709	$ 7,712	$ 22,780	$ 22,976
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	3,847	3,877	11,324	11,556
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,531	1,530	4,584	4,644
Research, development and related expenses	427	429	1,314	1,330
Total operating expenses	5,805	5,836	17,222	17,530
Operating income	1,904	1,876	5,558	5,446
Interest expense and income
Interest expense	50	38	135	104
Interest income	(8)	(7)	(20)	(18)
Total interest expense - net	42	31	115	86
Income before income taxes	1,862	1,845	5,443	5,360
Provision for income taxes	531	547	1,541	1,558
Net income including noncontrolling interest	1,331	1,298	3,902	3,802
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	2	7	7
Net income attributable to 3M	$ 1,329	$ 1,296	$ 3,895	$ 3,795
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	604.4	620.6	606.2	629.4
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.20	$ 2.09	$ 6.43	$ 6.03
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	618.8	631.2	620.3	641.2
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 2.05	$ 6.28	$ 5.92
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 1.025	$ 3.33	$ 3.075