Significant Accounting Policies - Accounting Changes (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
ASU 2016-09 Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting \| Income Tax Benefit
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle
New accounting pronouncement income statement impact	$ 184

This element represents the impact to the income statement related to new accounting policy adoption and/or new accounting guidance adoption.

No definition available.

Name:	mmm_NewAccountingPronouncementImpactToIncomeStatementItems
Namespace Prefix:	mmm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration