Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This represents the amount of additional derivative notional added during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of cash flow gains/losses within AOCI that will be reclassified into income for year second year after next fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

After-tax net unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassifed out of AOCI within the next fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

After-tax net unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassified out of AOCI within the remaining fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the amount derivatives terminated in conjunction with the issuance debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after tax, of accumulated gain (loss) on derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=d3e637-108580

+ Details

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

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80748-113994

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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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

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

- Definition

Maximum length of time over which the entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=112277219&loc=d3e80748-113994

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Period Type:	duration

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Derivatives - Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - Cash flow hedge - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges		$ 47
After-tax net unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI to the income statement within next twelve months		40
After-tax net unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI to the Income Statement over remaining fiscal year		37
After-tax net unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassifed from AOCI to the Income Statement over next fiscal year		22
After-tax unrealized gain (loss) anticipated to be reclassified from AOCI to the Income Statement after the next fiscal year		$ (12)
Foreign currency forward/option contracts
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Maximum length of time hedged in cash flow hedge		36 months
Interest rate swap contracts
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges		$ (15)
Derivative notional amount			$ 700
Additional derivative notional		$ 200
Termination Of Derivative	$ 550