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Goodwill and intangible assets - Goodwill and intangible asset by segment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill $ 10,231 $ 10,679
Goodwill [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 8,905 8,899
Alcon brand name [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 2,980 2,980
Acquired research & development [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 725 246
Technologies [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 677 1,185
Currently marketed products [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 1,598 1,848
Marketing know-how [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 3,814 4,054
Other intangible assets (including software) [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 437 366
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 5,770 6,053
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Goodwill [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 4,544 4,538
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Acquired research & development [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 721 216
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Technologies [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 677 1,185
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Currently marketed products [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 374 438
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Marketing know-how [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 3,814 4,054
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 184 160
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 1,481 1,646
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Goodwill [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 4,361 4,361
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Acquired research & development [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 4 30
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Currently marketed products [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 1,224 1,410
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 253 206
Unallocated amounts [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill 2,980 2,980
Unallocated amounts [member] | Alcon brand name [member]    
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]    
Intangible assets and goodwill $ 2,980 $ 2,980