Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Earnings	$ 16,323us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 13,831us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 10,514us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and intangibles	3,895	4,104	3,666
Stock based compensation	792us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	728us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	662us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	339
Venezuela adjustments	87jnj_VenezuelaCurrencyDevaluation	108jnj_VenezuelaCurrencyDevaluation	0jnj_VenezuelaCurrencyDevaluation
Asset write-downs	410us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	739us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	2,131us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Net gain on sale of assets/businesses	(2,383)	(113)	(908)
Net gain on equity investment transactions	0	(417)	0
Deferred tax provision	441us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(607)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(39)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Accounts receivable allowances	(28)us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	(131)us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	92us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Increase in accounts receivable	(247)	(632)	(9)
Increase in inventories	(1,120)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	(622)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	(1)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	955	1,821	2,768
Decrease/(Increase) in other current and non-current assets	442	(1,693)	(1,264)
(Decrease)/Increase in other current and non-current liabilities	(1,096)	298	(2,555)
Net cash flows from operating activities	18,471	17,414	15,396
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(3,714)	(3,595)	(2,934)
Proceeds from the disposal of assets/businesses, net	4,631	458	1,509
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 20)	(2,129)	(835)	(4,486)
Purchases of investments	(34,913)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	(18,923)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	(13,434)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments
Sales of investments	24,119	18,058	14,797
Other (primarily intangibles)	(299)	(266)	38
Net cash used by investing activities	(12,305)	(5,103)	(4,510)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends to shareholders	(7,768)us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends	(7,286)us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends	(6,614)us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends
Repurchase of common stock	(7,124)	(3,538)	(12,919)
Proceeds from short-term debt	1,863us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt	1,411us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt	3,268us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt
Retirement of short-term debt	(1,267)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	(1,397)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	(6,175)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
Proceeds from long-term debt	2,098	3,607	45
Retirement of long-term debt	(1,844)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(1,593)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(804)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options/excess tax benefits	1,782	2,649	2,720
Other	0	56	(83)
Net cash used by financing activities	(12,260)	(6,091)	(20,562)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(310)	(204)	45
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,404)	6,016	(9,631)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year (Note 1)	20,927	14,911	24,542
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year (Note 1)	14,523	20,927	14,911
Supplemental Cash Flow Data
Interest	603us-gaap_InterestPaid	596us-gaap_InterestPaid	616us-gaap_InterestPaid
Interest, net of amount capitalized	488us-gaap_InterestPaidNet	491us-gaap_InterestPaidNet	501us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
Income taxes	3,536us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	3,155us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	2,507us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
Treasury Stock Issued For Employee Compensation And Stock Option Plans Net Of Cash Proceeds	1,170	743	615
Conversion of debt	17	22	0
Acquisitions
Fair value of assets acquired	2,167	1,028	19,025
Fair value of liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests	(38)	(193)	(1,204)
Net fair value of acquisitions	2,129	835	17,821
Net cash paid for aquisitions	2,129	835	4,486
Synthes, Inc [Member]
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
Issuance of common stock associated with the acquisition of Synthes, Inc.	0	0	13,335
Acquisitions
Issuance of common stock associated with the acquisition of Synthes, Inc.	$ 0	$ 0	$ 13,335

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The total amount of [all] liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

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The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

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Cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests, generally out of earnings.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

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The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

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The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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The cash inflow associated with the sale, maturity and collection of all investments such as debt, security and so forth during the period.

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The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

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The cash inflow from a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable.

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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Value of stock issued pursuant to acquisitions during the period.

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