Notes Payable - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$ 65	$ 383
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	0.10%	0.20%
Commercial paper
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	65	381
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.10%	0.20%
$200.0 European revolving credit facility, due March 13, 2014
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	0
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Sigma-Aldrich Korea limited credit facility, Due June 30, 2013
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	0
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Sigma-Aldrich Japan credit facilities
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	0
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Other short-term credit facilities
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	2
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	1.50%
Total Notes Payable And Current Maturities Of Long Term Debt [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$ 65	$ 383