2.4.0.82408403 - Disclosure - Debt (Schedule Of Notes Payable And Long-Term Debt) (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$D2013Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185duration2013-04-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170numberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$D2012Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185duration2012-04-01T00:00:002012-06-30T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$D2013Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170numberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$4false USDfalsefalse$D2012Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-06-30T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00numberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]2false 4us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse20000002USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse20000002USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse50000005USD$falsetruefalse4truefalsefalse40000004USD$falsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 false2Interest Expense, Debt3false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0020.002falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate4false 4us-gaap_DebtCurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse383000000383USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 false2Debt, Current5false 4us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.No definition available.false0Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate6false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial Paper [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialPaperMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Commercial Paper [Member]7true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]8false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse381000000381USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt9false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0020.002falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate10false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_TwoHundredMillionUSDollarEuropeanRevolvingCreditFacilityDueMarchThirteenTwoThousandFourteenMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse$200.0 European Revolving Credit Facility, Due March 13, 2014 [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_TwoHundredMillionUSDollarEuropeanRevolvingCreditFacilityDueMarchThirteenTwoThousandFourteenMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0$200.0 European Revolving Credit Facility, Due March 13, 2014 [Member]11true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]12false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt13false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate14false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_SigmaAldrichKoreaLimitedCreditFacilityDueJuneThirtyTwoThousandTwelveMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSigma-Aldrich Korea Limited Credit Facility, Due June 30, 2014 [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_SigmaAldrichKoreaLimitedCreditFacilityDueJuneThirtyTwoThousandTwelveMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Sigma-Aldrich Korea Limited Credit Facility, Due June 30, 2014 [Member]15true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]16false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt17false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate18false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_SigmaAldrichJapanCreditFacilityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSigma-Aldrich Japan Credit Facility [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_SigmaAldrichJapanCreditFacilityMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Sigma-Aldrich Japan Credit Facility [Member]19true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]20false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt21false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate22false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse14false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_OtherShortTermCreditFacilitiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther Short-Term Credit Facilities [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_OtherShortTermCreditFacilitiesMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Other Short-Term Credit Facilities [Member]23true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]24false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse00USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse20000002USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt25false 4us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateus-gaap_truenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0000.000falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0150.015falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureWeighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 false0Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate26false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse16false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_SeniorNotesDueNovemberOneTwoThousandTwentyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSenior Notes, Due November 1, 2020 [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_SeniorNotesDueNovemberOneTwoThousandTwentyMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMembernumberStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Senior Notes, Due November 1, 2020 [Member]27true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]28false 4us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmountus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 false2Outstanding29false 4sial_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateNoncurrentMaturitiessial_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truetruefalse0.0340.034falsefalsefalsenum:percentItemTypepureLong-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, Noncurrent MaturitiesNo definition available.false0Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, Noncurrent Maturities30false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse18false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxis_sial_NotesPayableMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseTotal Notes Payable [Member]sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_NotesPayableMembersial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Total Notes Payable [Member]31true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]32false 4us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowingsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse129000000129USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse383000000383USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 false2Short-term Debt33false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse20false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxis_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_sial_SeniorNotesDueNovemberOneTwoThousandTwentyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLong-Term Debt [Member]sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_LongTermDebtMembersial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseSenior Notes, Due November 1, 2020 [Member]us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_SeniorNotesDueNovemberOneTwoThousandTwentyMemberus-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Long-Term Debt [Member] | Senior Notes, Due November 1, 2020 [Member]34true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]35false 4us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmountus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 false2Outstanding36false 0truefalsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse22false USDtruefalse$I2013Q2_sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxis_sial_LongTermDebtNoncurrentMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000090185instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseTotal Long-Term Debt [Member]sial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisial_LongTermDebtNoncurrentMembersial_DebtOutstandingTypeAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$nanafalse0Total Long-Term Debt [Member]37true 3us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItemsus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Debt Instrument [Line Items]38false 4us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse300000000300USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false2Long-term Debt, Excluding Current MaturitiesfalseDebt (Schedule Of Notes Payable And Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseNoteshttp://www.sigmaaldrich.com/role/DebtScheduleOfNotesPayableAndLongTermDebtDetails538