<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<extension-concepts xmlns:mmm="http://www.mmm.com/20090930">
   <concept>
      <qname>mmm:ChangeInProductOtherInsuranceReceivablesClaims</qname>
      <standard-label>Change in Product and Other Insurance Receivables and Claims</standard-label>
      <documentation>The net change in the beginning and ending balance of both short-term and long-term product and other insurance receivables and claims.</documentation>
      <fact-count>2</fact-count>
   </concept>
   <concept>
      <qname>mmm:DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract</qname>
      <standard-label>Document and Entity Information</standard-label>
      <documentation/>
      <fact-count>0</fact-count>
   </concept>
   <concept>
      <qname>mmm:NotesToFinancialsAbstract</qname>
      <standard-label>Notes to Financials</standard-label>
      <documentation/>
      <fact-count>0</fact-count>
   </concept>
   <concept>
      <qname>mmm:ProceedsFromSaleOfMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestments</qname>
      <standard-label>Proceeds from Sale of Marketable Securities and Investments</standard-label>
      <documentation>The aggregate amount received by the reporting entity through sale of available-for-sale equity and debt securities and proceeds from sales of held-to-maturity and other investments during an accounting period.</documentation>
      <fact-count>2</fact-count>
   </concept>
   <concept>
      <qname>mmm:ResearchDevelopmentAndRelatedExpenses</qname>
      <standard-label>Research, Development and Related Expenses</standard-label>
      <documentation>The aggregate costs incurred during an accounting period to research and develop new products/technologies when the technological feasibility has not been reached, and related expenses, which primarily include technical support provided to customers who use existing products and expenses related to internally developed patent costs.</documentation>
      <fact-count>4</fact-count>
   </concept>
</extension-concepts>