COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 4 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingency, Narco and Bendix Asbestos Related Balances by Balance Sheet Caption [Abstract]
Other current assets	$ 71	$ 71
Insurance Recoveries For Asbestos Related Liabilities	654	709
Total assets	725	780
Accrued liabilities	237	237
Asbestos Related Liabilities	1,531	1,499
Total liabilities	$ 1,768	$ 1,736

Loss contingencies for asbestos related liabilities

No definition available.

Name:	hon_AsbestosRelatedLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	hon_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Non-current amounts receivable associated with asbestos insurance claims.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hon_InsuranceRecoveriesForAsbestosRelatedLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	hon_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	hon_LossContingencyNarcoAndBendixAsbestosRelatedBalancesByBalanceSheetCaptionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hon_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency liabilities which is expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of a recorded receivable related to a loss contingency accrual. For example, an insurance recovery receivable to the extent that the insurance recovery is probable and does not exceed the amount of the loss previously recognized in the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12053-110248

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of a recorded receivable related to a loss contingency accrual that is expected to be collected within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. For example, an insurance recovery receivable to the extent that the insurance recovery is probable and does not exceed the amount of the loss previously recognized in the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12053-110248

+ Details

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