CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,344	$ 4,097
Cost of sales	1,707	1,632
Gross profit	2,637	2,465
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,605	1,473
Other (income) expense, net	28	40
Operating profit	1,004	952
Non-service related postretirement costs	18	21
Interest (income) expense, net	29	36
Income before income taxes	957	895
Provision for income taxes	229	147
Net income including noncontrolling interests	728	748
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	47	33
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 681	$ 715
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.83
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.83