Taxes on Earnings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Taxes on Earnings
Favorable resolution of various tax positions and other unusual provision items		$ 103
Decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits due to favorable resolution of tax positions pertaining to prior years	134
Maximum
Taxes on Earnings
Decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits, upper bound	350
Discontinued operations
Taxes on Earnings
Decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits due to favorable resolution of tax positions pertaining to prior years	42
Continuing operations
Taxes on Earnings
Decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits due to favorable resolution of tax positions pertaining to prior years	$ 58

Name:	abt_TaxesOnEarningsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	abt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The estimated upper bound of the reasonably possible change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeUpperBound
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) to previously recorded tax expense. Includes, but is not limited to, significant settlements of income tax disputes, and unusual tax positions or infrequent actions taken by the entity, including tax assessment reversal, and IRS tax settlement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28446-109314

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28511-109314

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TaxAdjustmentsSettlementsAndUnusualProvisions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15A

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration