Cover Page shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	1-04851
Entity Registrant Name	THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	0000089800
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-0526850
Entity Address, Address Line One	101 West Prospect Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Cleveland,
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44115-1075
City Area Code	216
Local Phone Number	566-2000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value of $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	SHW
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
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
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	90.8