CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) Dividend $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) Dividend $ / shares
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 3,762	$ 4,070
Cost of sales		1,514	1,678
Gross profit		2,248	2,392
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,354	1,450
Other (income) expense, net		27	82
Operating profit		867	860
Interest (income) expense, net		28	8
Income before income taxes		839	852
Provision for income taxes		265	269
Net income including noncontrolling interests		574	583
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		41	41
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company		$ 533	$ 542
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		0.59	0.59
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	[1]	$ 0.77	$ 0.74
Number of Dividends Declared Per Quarter | Dividend		2	2

[1] Two dividends were declared in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015.