CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,097	$ 3,884
Cost of sales	1,632	1,597
Gross profit	2,465	2,287
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,473	1,365
Other (income) expense, net	40	43
Operating profit	952	879
Non-service related postretirement costs	21	25
Interest (income) expense, net	36	40
Income before income taxes	895	814
Provision for income taxes	147	214
Net income including noncontrolling interests	748	600
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	40
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 715	$ 560
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.65
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.65