Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Consolidated Statement of Income
Net sales	$ 7,685	$ 7,409
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	3,869	3,678
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,571	1,493
Research, development and related expenses	471	450
Total operating expenses	5,911	5,621
Operating income	1,774	1,788
Interest expense and income
Interest expense	45	47
Interest income	(8)	(5)
Total interest expense - net	37	42
Income before income taxes	1,737	1,746
Provision for income taxes	411	468
Net income including noncontrolling interest	1,326	1,278
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	3
Net income attributable to 3M	$ 1,323	$ 1,275
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	598.1	607.4
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.21	$ 2.10
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	612.0	621.3
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.16	$ 2.05
Cash dividends paid per 3M common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.175	$ 1.11