Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 16,471	$ 15,693	$ 15,544
Cost of sales	6,454	6,368	6,313
Gross profit	10,017	9,325	9,231
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,019	5,575	5,389
Other (income) expense, net	113	196	148
Operating profit	3,885	3,554	3,694
Non-service related postretirement costs	74	108	87
Interest (income) expense, net	164	145	143
Income before income taxes	3,647	3,301	3,464
Provision for income taxes	787	774	906
Net income including noncontrolling interests	2,860	2,527	2,558
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	165	160	158
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 2,695	$ 2,367	$ 2,400
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.15	$ 2.76	$ 2.76
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.14	$ 2.75	$ 2.75