Document and Entity Information Document	Apr. 30, 2020	Oct. 24, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2020
Entity Registrant Name	Baxter International Inc.
Entity Central Index Key		0000010456
Amendment Flag		false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	1-4448
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-0781620
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Baxter Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Deerfield
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60015
City Area Code	224
Local Phone Number	948-2000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock, $1.00 Per Value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	BAX (NYSE)
1.3% Global Notes due 2025
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.3% Global Notes due 2025
Trading Symbol	BAX 25
1.3% Global Notes due 2029
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.3% Global Notes due 2029
Trading Symbol	BAX 29
0.4% Global Notes due 2024
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	0.4% Global Notes due 2024
Trading Symbol	BAX 24
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. | Common Stock, $1.00 Per Value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. | 1.3% Global Notes due 2025
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. | 1.3% Global Notes due 2029
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. | 0.4% Global Notes due 2024
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE, INC | Common Stock, $1.00 Per Value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	CHX