1.0.0.3 true Statement Of Shareholders Equity And Other Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands false 1 $ true false false false Common Stock Issued us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_CommonStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 false 2 $ true false false false Additional Paid-in Capital us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 3 $ true false false false Treasury Stock us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 false 4 $ true false false false Retained Earnings us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 5 $ true false false false Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 6 $ true false false false Noncontrolling Interests us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis xbrldi http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis explicitMember iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 false 7 $ false false iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 iso4217_USD_per_shares Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 6 Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2006 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false true false false 1 true true 598000000 598 true false 2 true true 428000000 428 true false 3 true true -1392000000 -1392 true false 4 true true 7896000000 7896 true false 5 true true -1432000000 -1432 true false 6 true true 404000000 404 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 5 Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2006 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false true false false true false false 1 false true 478597000 478597 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 22978000 22978 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Net income in stockholders' equity 3 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 1823000000 1823 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 85000000 85 true false 7 false true 1951000000 1951 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Other comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 9 Unrealized translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 365000000 365 true false 6 false true 12000000 12 true false 7 false true 377000000 377 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Employee postretirement benefits, net of tax 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 266000000 266 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true 266000000 266 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Other 4 kmb_OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax kmb false debit duration monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 10000000 10 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true 10000000 10 false false The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Stock-based awards exercised or vested (in shares) 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true -6646000 -6646 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Stock-based awards exercised or vested 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true -40000000 -40 true false 3 false true 389000000 389 true false 4 false true -4000000 -4 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 32000000 32 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Shares repurchased (in shares) 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 41344000 41344 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Shares repurchased 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true -2811000000 -2811 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Recognition of stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 63000000 63 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends declared 3 us-gaap_DividendsCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -933000000 -933 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -30000000 -30 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Additional investment in subsidiary and other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -8000000 -8 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Adoption of uncertain tax positions accounting standard 3 us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfInitialAdoptionOfFIN48 us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -34000000 -34 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2007 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 478597000 478597 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 57676000 57676 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2007 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 598000000 598 true false 2 false true 483000000 483 true false 3 false true -3814000000 -3814 true false 4 false true 8748000000 8748 true false 5 false true -791000000 -791 true false 6 false true 463000000 463 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Net income in stockholders' equity 3 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 1690000000 1690 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 82000000 82 true false 7 false true 1829000000 1829 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Other comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 9 Unrealized translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true -900000000 -900 true false 6 false true -81000000 -81 true false 7 false true -982000000 -982 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Employee postretirement benefits, net of tax 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true -687000000 -687 true false 6 false true -2000000 -2 true false 7 false true -689000000 -689 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Other 4 kmb_OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax kmb false debit duration monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true -8000000 -8 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true -8000000 -8 false false The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Stock-based awards exercised or vested (in shares) 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true -2870000 -2870 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Stock-based awards exercised or vested 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true -59000000 -59 true false 3 false true 170000000 170 true false 4 false true -7000000 -7 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 10000000 10 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Shares repurchased (in shares) 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 10232000 10232 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Shares repurchased 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 5000000 5 true false 3 false true -641000000 -641 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Recognition of stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 47000000 47 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends declared 3 us-gaap_DividendsCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -966000000 -966 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -51000000 -51 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Additional investment in subsidiary and other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -28000000 -28 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 478597000 478597 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 65038000 65038 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2008 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 598000000 598 true false 2 false true 486000000 486 true false 3 false true -4285000000 -4285 true false 4 false true 9465000000 9465 true false 5 false true -2386000000 -2386 true false 6 false true 383000000 383 true false 7 false true 4261000000 4261 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Net income in stockholders' equity 3 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true 1884000000 1884 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true 54000000 54 true false 7 false true 1994000000 1994 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 8 Other comprehensive income: 3 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 9 Unrealized translation 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 619000000 619 true false 6 false true 6000000 6 true false 7 false true 625000000 625 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Employee postretirement benefits, net of tax 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true -32000000 -32 true false 6 false true -2000000 -2 true false 7 false true -34000000 -34 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Other 4 kmb_OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax kmb false debit duration monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false true 3000000 3 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false true 3000000 3 false false The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Stock-based awards exercised or vested (in shares) 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true -3519000 -3519 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Stock-based awards exercised or vested 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true -47000000 -47 true false 3 false true 204000000 204 true false 4 false true -7000000 -7 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 7000000 7 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 15 Shares repurchased (in shares) 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired us-gaap true na duration shares No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 130000 130 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Shares repurchased 3 us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true -7000000 -7 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 17 Recognition of stock-based compensation 3 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true 86000000 86 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Dividends declared 3 us-gaap_DividendsCash us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false false 0 0 true false 4 false true -996000000 -996 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false true -45000000 -45 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Additional investment in subsidiary and other 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 true false 2 false true -133000000 -133 true false 3 false true 1000000 1 true false 4 false true -17000000 -17 true false 5 false true -37000000 -37 true false 6 false true -112000000 -112 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009 3 us-gaap_SharesIssued us-gaap true na instant shares No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 false true 478597000 478597 true false 2 false false 0 0 true false 3 false true 61649000 61649 true false 4 false false 0 0 true false 5 false false 0 0 true false 6 false false 0 0 true false 7 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2009 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant monetary No definition available. false false false true false false false true false 1 true true 598000000 598 true false 2 true true 399000000 399 true false 3 true true -4087000000 -4087 true false 4 true true 10329000000 10329 true false 5 true true -1833000000 -1833 true false 6 true true 284000000 284 true false 7 true true 5690000000 5690 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 7 48 false Millions Thousands UnKnown false true