Significant Accounting Policies - Foreign Currency Translation (Details) $ in Millions, VEF in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017 VEF	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Foreign Currency Translation
Operating income of Venezuelan subsidiary as percent of consolidated amount high end of range	1.00%
Maximum balance of company's net monetary assets in Venezuelan bolivars | VEF		VEF 10
Exchange rate established by Venezuelan government from bolivars to dollars - DIPRO		10	10
Exchange rate established by Venezuelan government from bolivars to dollars - DICOM2		3,300	3,300
Accumulated other comprehensive loss that 3M Company has recorded from its Venezuelan subsidiary | $			$ 145