Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024
Derivative Financial Instruments
Potential reduction in net position of total derivative liabilities		$ 316,000,000	$ 352,000,000
Potential reduction in net position of total derivative assets		316,000,000	352,000,000
Foreign Exchange Call Option
Derivative Financial Instruments
Realized gain (loss) on derivatives	$ (68,000,000)
Fair value of derivatives		0	0
Other receivables
Derivative Financial Instruments
Right to reclaim cash collateral		$ 14,000,000	$ 29,000,000

Fair value of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and contract can be net settled by means outside contract or delivery of asset, subject to master netting arrangement or similar agreement and not elected or qualified to offset, deducted from derivative asset.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 21
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-21

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 20
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-20

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-15

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(1)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483466/210-20-50-3

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(1)(ii)
-SubTopic 20
-Topic 210
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483466/210-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-7A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-8

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-8

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 12
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-12

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 21
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-21

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 20
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-20

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483444/210-20-55-15

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483466/210-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument and classified as an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 182
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480401/815-10-55-182

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (d)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4B

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4B

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4B

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480434/815-10-50-4A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and contract can be net settled by means outside contract or delivery of asset, subject to master netting arrangement or similar agreement and not elected or qualified to offset, deducted from derivative liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 6A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480682/815-20-25-6A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 40
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480237/815-40-50-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the book value and the sale price of options, swaps, futures, forward contracts, and other derivative instruments. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(13)(h))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478524/942-220-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(7)(a)(7))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479134/946-220-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(7)(a)(3))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479134/946-220-S99-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(7)(a)(5))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479134/946-220-S99-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 220
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(7)(a)(6))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479134/946-220-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=ibm_OtherReceivablesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: