XML 52 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount | $ 0 | $ 11 | $ (153)
K-C Venezuela |  |  |
Charge for Venezuelan Balance Sheet Remeasurement |  |  | (45)
K-C Venezuela | After Tax |  |  |
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount |  |  | $ (102)
Trademarks | Minimum |  |  |
Intangible assets estimated useful life | 2 years |  |
Trademarks | Maximum |  |  |
Intangible assets estimated useful life | 20 years |  |
Patents, Developed Technologies & Other Intangible Assets | Minimum |  |  |
Intangible assets estimated useful life | 5 years |  |
Patents, Developed Technologies & Other Intangible Assets | Maximum |  |  |
Intangible assets estimated useful life | 15 years |  |
Building |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 40 years |  |
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 16 years |  |
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 20 years |  |
Software |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |

X
- Definition Charge for Venezuelan Balance Sheet Remeasurement + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | kmb_ChargeforVenezuelanBalanceSheetRemeasurement
Namespace Prefix: | kmb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the gain (loss) recognized by the parent and included in its attributable portion of net income for the period due to deconsolidation of a subsidiary or derecognition of a group of assets. The gain (loss) recognized and included in the net income attributable to the parent for the period is generally computed as the difference between: (a) the aggregate of: (1) the fair value of any consideration received; (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated; and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary (including any accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest) at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated and (b) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary's assets and liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64809438&loc=SL4582445-111684 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_NonmonetaryTransactionTypeAxis=kmb_KCVenezuelaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | kmb_TaxEffectAxis=kmb_AfterTaxMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TrademarksMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=kmb_PatentsDevelopedTechnologiesOtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |