Revenue - Disaggregated Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	$ 8,152		$ 24,820
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		$ 8,172		$ 23,667
Abrasives
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	427		1,375
Abrasives | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		441		1,308
Adhesives and Tapes
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,164		3,482
Adhesives and Tapes | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,170		3,341
Advanced Materials
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	314		935
Advanced Materials | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		281		855
Automotive and Aerospace
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	499		1,577
Automotive and Aerospace | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		490		1,487
Automotive Aftermarket
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	397		1,253
Automotive Aftermarket | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		414		1,249
Separation and Purification
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	224		698
Separation and Purification | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		228		667
Other Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	2		5
Other Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1		2
Commercial Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	439		1,426
Commercial Solutions | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		444		1,344
Personal Safety
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	881		2,800
Personal Safety | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		732		2,160
Roofing Granules
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	83		283
Roofing Granules | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		98		291
Transportation Safety
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	259		752
Transportation Safety | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		279		877
Other Safety and Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	2		3
Other Safety and Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		2		2
Drug Delivery
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	102		340
Drug Delivery | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		137		378
Food Safety
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	83		249
Food Safety | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		78		227
Health Information Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	208		618
Health Information Systems | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		197		583
Medical Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	734		2,282
Medical Solutions | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		756		2,199
Oral Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	317		1,013
Oral Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		318		984
Other Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1		1
Other Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1		2
Electronics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,103		2,959
Electronics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,095		2,856
Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	339		1,170
Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		419		1,236
Other Electronics and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1		1
Other Electronics and Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1		4
Consumer Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	96		298
Consumer Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		111		317
Home Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	249		773
Home Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		263		777
Home Improvement
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	518		1,472
Home Improvement | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		517		1,385
Stationery and Office
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	362		1,012
Stationery and Office | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		376		1,008
Other Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	10		30
Other Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		12		34
Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	35		47
Corporate and Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		3		6
Elimination of Dual Credit
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(689)		(2,016)
Elimination of Dual Credit | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(684)		(1,900)
Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	3,023		9,315
Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		3,023		8,905
Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,660		5,258
Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,551		4,670
Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,445		4,501
Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,485		4,369
Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,443		4,130
Electronics And Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,515		4,096
Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,235		3,585
Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,279		3,521
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	3,265		9,657
United States | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		3,223		9,291
United States | Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	34		42
United States | Corporate and Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		3		6
United States | Elimination of Dual Credit
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(262)		(789)
United States | Elimination of Dual Credit | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(251)		(734)
United States | Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,137		3,419
United States | Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,111		3,307
United States | Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	678		2,077
United States | Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		612		1,832
United States | Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	687		2,092
United States | Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		730		2,117
United States | Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	212		685
United States | Electronics And Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		233		697
United States | Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	779		2,131
United States | Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		785		2,066
Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	2,621		7,801
Asia Pacific | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		2,580		7,335
Asia Pacific | Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(1)		(1)
Asia Pacific | Corporate and Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(1)
Asia Pacific | Elimination of Dual Credit
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(269)		(728)
Asia Pacific | Elimination of Dual Credit | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(269)		(696)
Asia Pacific | Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	898		2,712
Asia Pacific | Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		883		2,546
Asia Pacific | Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	411		1,327
Asia Pacific | Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		393		1,194
Asia Pacific | Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	282		873
Asia Pacific | Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		263		784
Asia Pacific | Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,079		2,889
Asia Pacific | Electronics And Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,069		2,775
Asia Pacific | Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	221		729
Asia Pacific | Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		242		732
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1,527		5,077
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1,589		4,771
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(2)		(1)
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Elimination of Dual Credit
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(99)		(321)
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Elimination of Dual Credit | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(98)		(286)
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	683		2,245
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		700		2,105
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	381		1,260
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		352		1,067
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	340		1,115
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		354		1,060
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	95		371
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Electronics And Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		142		421
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	129		408
Europe, Middle East and Africa | Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		139		404
Latin America and Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	741		2,289
Latin America and Canada | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		784		2,277
Latin America and Canada | Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales			3
Latin America and Canada | Corporate and Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1		1
Latin America and Canada | Elimination of Dual Credit
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	(59)		(178)
Latin America and Canada | Elimination of Dual Credit | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		(66)		(184)
Latin America and Canada | Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	308		942
Latin America and Canada | Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		331		950
Latin America and Canada | Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	191		595
Latin America and Canada | Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		195		578
Latin America and Canada | Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	137		423
Latin America and Canada | Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		140		410
Latin America and Canada | Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	57		186
Latin America and Canada | Electronics And Energy | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		71		203
Latin America and Canada | Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	107		318
Latin America and Canada | Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		112		319
Other Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	2		4
Other Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		4		7
Other Unallocated | Corporate and Unallocated
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	4		4
Other Unallocated | Corporate and Unallocated | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales				1
Other Unallocated | Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	3		3
Other Unallocated | Industrial | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		2		3
Other Unallocated | Safety And Graphics
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1		1
Other Unallocated | Safety And Graphics | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		1		1
Other Unallocated | Health Care
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	1		2
Other Unallocated | Health Care | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		2		$ 2
Other Unallocated | Electronics And Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales			1
Other Unallocated | Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales	$ 1		$ 1
Other Unallocated | Consumer | Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net Sales		$ 1