This element represents the estimated pre-tax gain related to the sale of businesses.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_EstimatedPreTaxGainOnSale
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the total amount of businesses sold in the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the proceeds received from sale of businesses, net of any cash sold in the transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount classified as accounts, notes and loans receivable attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=d3e1107-107759

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=SL51721533-107759

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of consideration received or receivable for the disposal of assets and liabilities, including discontinued operation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount classified as goodwill attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2473-110228

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=d3e1107-107759

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of operating income (loss) attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount classified as property, plant and equipment attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2473-110228

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=d3e1107-107759

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of revenue attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2443-110228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Increase (decrease) in cash associated with the entity's discontinued operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 24
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3521-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInDiscontinuedOperations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_PressurizedpolyurethanefoamadhesivesbusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_LibrarySystemsAndPressurizedPolyurethaneFoamAdhesivesInAggregateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_TemporaryProtectiveFilmsBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_CathodeBatteryTechnologyLicenseBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_TemporaryProtectiveFilmsAndCathodeBatteryTechnologyLicenseBusinessesInAggregateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_IdentityManagementBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_SafetyPrescriptionEyewearBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_IdentityManagementAndTollingAndAutomatedLicenseNumberPlateRecognitionBusinessInAggregateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_TollingAndAutomatedLicenseNumberPlateRecognitionBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_ElectronicMonitoringBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_CommunicationMarketsDivisionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_PersonalSafetyProductOfferingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=mmm_AbrasivesGlassProductsBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Divestitures (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended										3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	May 31, 2018 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Disposal - Accounts receivable																$ 25
Disposal - Property, plant and equipment																20
Disposal - Goodwill																275
Aggregate operating income of divested businesses															$ 25	$ 40	$ 50
Pressurized Polyurethane Foam Adhesives Business
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business														$ 20
Library Systems And Pressurized Polyurethane Foam Adhesives In Aggregate
Divestiture Information
Pre-tax gain on sale														$ 40
Temporary Protective Films Business
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business										$ 50
Cathode Battery Technology License Business
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business									$ 10
Temporary Protective Films And Cathode Battery Technology License Businesses In Aggregate
Divestiture Information
Number of businesses sold \| item													2
Aggregate selling price relative to the divestiture transaction									$ 86				$ 86				$ 86
Pre-tax gain on sale													$ 71
Identity Management Business \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business							$ 205
Safety Prescription Eyewear Business \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business								$ 45
Pre-tax gain on sale												$ 29
Identity Management and Tolling and Automated License Number Plate Recognition Business in Aggregate \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Number of businesses sold \| item											2
Proceeds from divested businesses											$ 833
Proceeds from divested businesses, net of cash sold											809
Pre-tax gain on sale											$ 458
Tolling and Automated License Number Plate Recognition Business \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business						$ 40
Electronic Monitoring Business \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business					$ 95
Aggregate selling price relative to the divestiture transaction					201
Pre-tax gain on sale					$ 98
Communication Markets Division \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business		$ 400
Proceeds from divested businesses		772
Pre-tax gain on sale	$ 15
Estimated pre-tax gain on sale		$ 494
Personal Safety Product Offerings \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business				$ 15
Pre-tax gain on sale				$ 20
Abrasives glass products business \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Divestiture Information
Annual sales of divested business			$ 10
Pre-tax gain on sale			$ 15