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This describes the maximum time frame of the contract terms of the entity's available-for-sale debt securities.

No definition available.

Name:	ibm_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesMaximumMaturities
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This item represents the gross unrealized losses for investments accounted using other than equity method.

No definition available.

Name:	ibm_AvailableForSaleEquityInvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLosses
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Amount of accumulated pre-tax unrealized gain before deducting pre-tax unrealized loss on investments in available-for-sale equity securities impacting investments.

No definition available.

Name:	ibm_AvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInInvestment
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Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax and subsequent changes in previously impaired securities arising during the period. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain (loss), net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain (loss) at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains (losses) realized upon the sale of securities, after tax; and (3) the unrealized gains (losses) realized upon the write-down of securities, after tax.

No definition available.

Name:	ibm_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTaxAndSubsequentChanges
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This item represents the cost of debt securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

No definition available.

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This item represents the cost of equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments for other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

No definition available.

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Total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
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Equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer.

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This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

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The total amount of proceeds received for the sale of securities, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities, during the reporting period.

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This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

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The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
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Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e637-108580

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e689-108580

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized loss realized upon the write-down of available-for-sale securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e637-108580

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e689-108580

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Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
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Amount of unrealized holding gain before loss recognized in the income statement for investments in trading securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560