CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Dividend $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) Dividend $ / shares
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 3,762	$ 3,762
Cost of sales		1,493	1,514
Gross profit		2,269	2,248
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,362	1,354
Other (income) expense, net		22	27
Operating profit		885	867
Interest (income) expense, net		23	28
Income before income taxes		862	839
Provision for income taxes		251	265
Net income including noncontrolling interests		611	574
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		41	41
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company		$ 570	$ 533
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.64	$ 0.60
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		0.64	0.59
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	[1]	$ 0.79	$ 0.77
Number of dividends declared per quarter (in dividends) | Dividend		2	2

[1] Two dividends were declared in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016.