Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 13,488	$ 18,106	$ 12,059
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	177	9	(9)
Available-for-sale Securities
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of tax impact of $19, $(17) and $0, respectively	7	(29)	1
Reclassifications to net income, net of tax impact of $0, $1 and $0, respectively	(7)	1	(1)
Net change	0	(28)	0
Cash Flow Hedges
Net unrealized gain, net of tax impact of $0, $21 and $16, respectively	5	389	430
Reclassification to net income, net of tax impact of $(8), $(19) and $(4), respectively	8	(583)	4
Net change	13	(194)	434
Other comprehensive income (loss)	190	(213)	425
Comprehensive income	13,678	17,893	12,484
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(13)	(2)	(42)
Comprehensive income attributable to Gilead	$ 13,691	$ 17,895	$ 12,526