Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 shares
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	1-5231
Entity Registrant Name	MCDONALDS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000063908
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-2361282
Entity Address, Address Line One	110 North Carpenter StreetChicago, Illinois
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60607
City Area Code	630
Local Phone Number	623-3000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	MCD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	745,110,988