Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Consolidated Statement of Income
Net sales	$ 8,851	$ 8,075
Operating expenses
Cost of sales	4,525	4,109
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,808	1,768
Research, development and related expenses	524	537
Gain on sale of businesses		(2)
Total operating expenses	6,857	6,412
Operating income	1,994	1,663
Interest expense and income
Other expense (income), net	49	75
Income before income taxes	1,945	1,588
Provision for income taxes	319	278
Income of consolidated group	1,626	1,310
Income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes	1
Net income including noncontrolling interest	1,627	1,310
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	2
Net income attributable to 3M	$ 1,624	$ 1,308
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	580.5	576.8
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.80	$ 2.27
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	586.3	581.5
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.77	$ 2.25