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

The amount of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in drinking water allowed per the guidance of the provisional health advisories issued by the EPA in 2009 under the Safe Drinking Water Act (presented in parts per trillion).

No definition available.

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

This element represents the amount of PFOA and its substances allowed in drinking water per the EU REACH Regulation (in parts per billion).

No definition available.

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

The amount of Perfluoroocotanoate (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in drinking water allowed per the EPA's announced lifetime health advisory levels (presented as parts per trillion).

No definition available.

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

The number of years the Company expects it will pay the amounts recorded over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValueRemediationPaymentsYears
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of claims settled and taken to trial.

No definition available.

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

The number of claims settled and tried to verdict.

No definition available.

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

The number of claims tried to verdict.

No definition available.

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

The number of former disposal sites with a presence of PFCs in the soil and groundwater.

No definition available.

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

The number of years the entity incorporated wastewater treatment plant sludge containing PFCs pursuant to a permit issued by ADEM.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_LossContingencyWastewaterTreatmentPlantSludgeContainingPFCNumberOfYearsPursuantToPermit
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of insurance policies referenced that were involved in the reversal of an accrued receivable.

No definition available.

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

The number of local water works for whom the water authority supplies supply water.

No definition available.

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

The number of PFCs the EPA has required to have public water system suppliers monitor.

No definition available.

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

The amount of public water supplies for which the EPA reported results.

No definition available.

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

The number of samples used of water supplies used by the EPA to test for lifetime health advisory amounts of PFOA and PFOS chemicals.

No definition available.

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

The amount of claims under Cabot's responsibility is being appealed by Cabot after ruling for Aearo.

No definition available.

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

The wastewater treatment plants from which PFC-containing sludge and biosolids may allegedly be discharged by Metropolitan Council, low end of range.

No definition available.

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

The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for both PFOA and PFOS.

No definition available.

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

The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for PFOA.

No definition available.

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

The amount of water supplies that reported above the lifetime health advisory level issued by the EPA for PFOS.

No definition available.

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

Number of years after phase-out decision in May 2000 that the Company stopped manufacturing and using vast majority of perfluorooctanyl compounds.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_NumberOfYearsAfterPhaseOutDecisionInMay2000ThatCompanyStoppedManufacturingPlusUsingVastMajorityOfPerfluorooctanylCompounds
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The quarterly fee paid to a co-defendant to retain responsibility, and liability for and indemnify the entity's subsidiary against product liability claims for respirators manufactured prior to July 11, 1995.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_QuarterlyFeePaidToCoDefendantForRetentionOfLiability
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount of benefits the ceding insurer expects to recover on insurance policies ceded to other insurance entities as of the balance sheet date for all guaranteed benefit types.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsuranceRecoverable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in asbestos and environmental claims reserve, before estimated recoveries from reinsurers.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b),(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65670824&loc=d3e14764-158437

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsGrossPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

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

Amount of loss contingency liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

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

Amount of cash outflow reducing loss contingency liability.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Number of claims dismissed.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsDismissedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of claims settled.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsSettledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Identifies individuals or entities that are co-defendants in a lawsuit, and who may have to pay all or a portion of any damages awarded.

No definition available.

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

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_RespiratorMaskAsbestosLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_RespiratorMaskAsbestosLitigationWestVirginiaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_RespiratorMaskAsbestosLitigationExcludingAearoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_RespiratorMaskAsbestosLitigationAearoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersRegulatoryActivitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_AL
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=mmm_EnvironmentalMattersLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_UsDistrictCourtOfColoradoAndEasternPennsylvaniaInAggregateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_UsDistrictCourtOfColoradoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_UsDistrictCourtOfEasternPennsylvaniaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_MorganCountyAlabamaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mmm_MetropolitanCouncilMinnesotaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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