Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019 USD ($) person item	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Benefit Plan Information
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment				$ 560,000,000	$ (444,000,000)	$ (52,000,000)
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension Benefits | Funded
Benefit Plan Information
Company contributions year to date				207,000,000	366,000,000
Pension settlement charge		$ 32,000,000
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension Benefits | United States | Funded
Benefit Plan Information
Company contributions year to date				101,000,000	254,000,000
Pension settlement charge		$ 32,000,000		35,000,000	(3,000,000)
Special termination benefits - number of additional years of pension service | item	1
Special termination benefits - number of additional years of age for certain benefit calculations | item	1
Special termination benefits - number of participants | person	800
Special termination benefits charge			$ 35,000,000
Qualified and Non-qualified Pension Benefits | International | Funded
Benefit Plan Information
Company contributions year to date				106,000,000	112,000,000
Pension settlement charge				1,000,000	(7,000,000)
Postretirement Benefits | Funded
Benefit Plan Information
Company contributions year to date				3,000,000	4,000,000
Maximum life insurance and death benefit to be paid under the modified 3M Retiree Life Insurance Plan postretirement benefit	$ 8,000
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment			$ 150,000,000
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Benefit Plan Information
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment				$ 560,000,000	$ (444,000,000)	$ (52,000,000)