Cost of benefits includes claims incurred and claims incurred but not reported under health care plans.

No definition available.

Name:	shw_CostOfBenefitsIncludesClaimsIncurredAndClaimsIncurredButNotReportedUnderHealthCarePlans
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Surplus At Termination Transferred To New Plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsSurplusAtTerminationTransferredToNewPlan
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined benefit plan ultimate health care cost trend rate and prescription drug cost increase rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateAndPrescriptionDrugCostIncreaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Health Care Plans [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_HealthCarePlansAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of active employees entitled to receive benefits under health care plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_NumberOfActiveEmployeesEntitledToReceiveBenefitsUnderHealthCarePlans
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number Of Defined Benefit Plans

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_NumberOfDefinedBenefitPlans
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of foreign defined benefit pension plans unfunded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_NumberofForeignDefinedBenefitPensionPlansUnfundedOrUnderfunded
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Retired employees entitled to receive postretirement benefits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_RetiredEmployeesEntitledToReceivePostretirementBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Treasury Stock, Shares, Transferred From Defined Benefit Plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_TreasuryStockSharesTransferredFromDefinedBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Treasury Stock, Value, Transferred From Defined Benefit Plan

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	shw_TreasuryStockValueTransferredFromDefinedBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	shw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered, excluding assumptions about future compensation level.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of actuarial present value of benefits attributed to service rendered by employee for defined benefit plan.

+ References

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for gain (loss) of defined benefit plan expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit for fiscal year following most recent annual statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (s)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss for prior service cost (credit) expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit) for fiscal year following most recent annual statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in five fiscal years after fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in next fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in third fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of benefit for defined benefit plan expected to be paid in second fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of contribution expected to be received by defined benefit plan from employer in next fiscal year following current fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of asset segregated and restricted to provide benefit under defined benefit plan. Asset includes, but is not limited to, stock, bond, other investment, earning from investment, and contribution by employer and employee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(01)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(01)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123450688&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of funded (unfunded) status of defined benefit plan, measured as difference between fair value of plan assets and benefit obligation. Includes, but is not limited to, overfunded (underfunded) status.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123453770&loc=d3e1703-114919

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123450688&loc=d3e4179-114921

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of target investment allocation to total plan assets. Includes, but is not limited to, percentage on weighted-average basis if more than one plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123450688&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123447040&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit from irrevocable action relieving primary responsibility for benefit obligation and eliminating risk related to obligation and assets used to effect settlement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=shw_OtherSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPostretirementHealthCoverageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanSponsorLocationAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanSponsorLocationAxis=us-gaap_ForeignPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanFundingStatusAxis=us-gaap_OverfundedPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanFundingStatusAxis=us-gaap_UnfundedPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis=shw_ReplacementPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Pension, Health Care and Other Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) pension_plan employee	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) employee	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) employee shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Health care plans
Treasury stock, value, transferred from defined benefit plan				$ 131.8
Minimum \| Equity Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		35.00%
Minimum \| Fixed Income Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		35.00%
Minimum \| Other Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		0.00%
Maximum \| Equity Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		65.00%
Maximum \| Fixed Income Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		55.00%
Maximum \| Other Securities
Expected defined benefit payments
Target allocation percentage of plan assets in equity securities		10.00%
Postretirement Health Coverage
Health care plans
Number of active employees entitled to receive benefits under health care plans \| employee		29,016	27,782	27,030
Cost of benefits includes claims incurred and claims incurred but not reported under health care plans		$ 336.0	$ 298.8	$ 301.6
Defined Benefit Pension
Health care plans
Fair value of plan assets		341.9	356.4	325.7
Expected defined benefit payments
Expected cash payments, 2022		15.2
Expected cash payments, 2023		14.8
Expected cash payments, 2024		16.1
Expected cash payments, 2025		16.9
Expected cash payments, 2026		23.1
Expected cash payments, 2027-2031		105.4
Amortization of actuarial losses		0.3
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(0.2)
Defined Benefit Pension \| Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Health care plans
Contributions by company		85.3	77.0	72.7
Settlement charge	$ 32.4
Projected benefit obligation		120.8	118.6	103.0	$ 524.7
Fair value of plan assets		155.2	144.3	125.9	777.0
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations		34.4	25.7	22.9
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 117.0	114.2	97.2
Defined Benefit Pension \| Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plan \| Minimum
Health care plans
Contributions by company (percentage)		2.00%
Defined Benefit Pension \| Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plan \| Maximum
Health care plans
Contributions by company (percentage)		7.00%
Defined Benefit Pension \| Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Health care plans
Contributions by company		$ 17.9	22.5	24.5
Settlement charge		0.3	0.2	0.3
Projected benefit obligation		362.7	401.1	360.7	315.8
Fair value of plan assets		328.4	318.2	288.1	253.5
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations		$ (34.3)	(82.9)	(72.6)
Number of defined benefit plans \| pension_plan		33
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 334.8	370.2	331.7
Expected defined benefit payments
Estimated future employer contributions		5.8
Defined Benefit Pension \| Overfunded Plan \| Domestic Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Health care plans
Projected benefit obligation		120.8
Fair value of plan assets		155.2
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations		34.4
Defined Benefit Pension \| Unfunded Plan \| Foreign Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Health care plans
Projected benefit obligation		108.5
Fair value of plan assets		29.5
Excess (deficient) plan assets over projected benefit obligations		$ 79.0
Number of foreign defined benefit pension plans unfunded or underfunded \| pension_plan		27
Accumulated benefit obligation		$ 95.2
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions
Health care plans
Projected benefit obligation		276.4	$ 291.6	$ 280.5	$ 274.6
Expected defined benefit payments
Expected cash payments, 2022		17.1
Expected cash payments, 2023		17.8
Expected cash payments, 2024		18.5
Expected cash payments, 2025		19.2
Expected cash payments, 2026		19.1
Expected cash payments, 2027-2031		85.1
Amortization of actuarial losses		4.2
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		$ (0.4)
Number of retired employees entitled to receive postretirement benefits \| employee		3,410	3,465	3,481
Defined benefit plan ultimate health care cost trend rate and prescription drug cost increase rate (percentage)		4.50%
Replacement plan \| Defined Benefit Pension
Health care plans
Surplus transferred upon termination and replacement				$ 242.2
Treasury stock, value, transferred from defined benefit plan				$ 131.8
Shares of company stock included in transfer (in shares) \| shares				900,000