Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill balance by business segment (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill Information
Goodwill acquired during period	$ 0
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	13,802,000,000
Translation and other	(148,000,000)
Balance at the end of the period	13,654,000,000
Safety and Industrial
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	4,687,000,000
Translation and other	(29,000,000)
Balance at the end of the period	4,658,000,000
Transportation and Electronics
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,858,000,000
Translation and other	(14,000,000)
Balance at the end of the period	1,844,000,000
Health Care
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	6,992,000,000
Translation and other	(98,000,000)
Balance at the end of the period	6,894,000,000
Consumer
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	265,000,000
Translation and other	(7,000,000)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 258,000,000