Name:	ibm_CapitalLeasesUnguaranteedResidualValuesOfLeasedProperty
Namespace Prefix:	ibm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

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

Present value of lease payments not yet received by lessor and amount expected to be derived from underlying asset, following end of lease term guaranteed by lessee or other third party unrelated to lessor, from sales-type and direct financing leases.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119202524&loc=SL77919391-209981

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119202524&loc=SL77919379-209981

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Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SalesTypeAndDirectFinancingLeasesLeaseReceivableFiscalYearMaturityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases.

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases in fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases in fourth fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases in remainder of the fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual period when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119202524&loc=SL77919391-209981

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases after fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases in third fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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

Amount of undiscounted cash flows to be received by lessor for sales-type and direct financing leases in second fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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

Amount of undiscounted lease receivable in excess of discounted receivable for sales-type and direct financing leases.