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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Summary of movements of goodwill and intangible assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2022
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   $ 9,060    
Impairment charges $ (61) (9) $ 0 $ (62)
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   8,587 9,060  
Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   22,241 22,138  
Impact of business combinations   75    
Impact of asset acquisitions     2  
Additions   207 115  
Disposals and derecognitions   (147) (14)  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   22,376 22,241 22,138
Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (13,181) (12,449)  
Amortization charge   (743) (745)  
Disposals and derecognitions   144 13  
Impairment charges   (9)    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   (13,789) (13,181) (12,449)
Goodwill        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   8,926    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   8,946 8,926  
Goodwill | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   8,926 8,926  
Impact of business combinations   20    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   8,946 8,926 8,926
Goodwill | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   0 0  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   0 0 0
Alcon brand name        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   2,980    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   2,980 2,980  
Alcon brand name | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   2,980 2,980  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   2,980 2,980 2,980
Alcon brand name | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   0 0  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   0 0 0
Acquired in-process research & development        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   739    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   775 739  
Acquired in-process research & development | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   918 920  
Additions   45    
Disposals and derecognitions     (2)  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   963 918 920
Acquired in-process research & development | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (179) (181)  
Disposals and derecognitions     2  
Impairment charges   (9)    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   (188) (179) (181)
Technologies        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   60    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   28 60  
Technologies | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   5,369 5,369  
Disposals and derecognitions   (21)    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   5,348 5,369 5,369
Technologies | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (5,309) (5,278)  
Amortization charge   (32) (31)  
Disposals and derecognitions   21    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   (5,320) (5,309) (5,278)
Currently marketed products        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   2,018    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   1,744 2,018  
Currently marketed products | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   6,204 6,189  
Impact of business combinations   75    
Additions   32 19  
Disposals and derecognitions   (82) (4)  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   6,229 6,204 6,189
Currently marketed products | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (4,186) (3,809)  
Amortization charge   (378) (381)  
Disposals and derecognitions   79 4  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   (4,485) (4,186) (3,809)
Marketing know-how        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   2,861    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   2,622 2,861  
Marketing know-how | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   5,960 5,960  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   5,960 5,960 5,960
Marketing know-how | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (3,099) (2,861)  
Amortization charge   (239) (238)  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   (3,338) (3,099) (2,861)
Other intangible assets (including software)        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   402    
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   438 402  
Other intangible assets (including software) | Cost        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   810 720  
Impact of asset acquisitions     2  
Additions   130 96  
Disposals and derecognitions   (44) (8)  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   896 810 720
Other intangible assets (including software) | Accumulated amortization        
Reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]        
Intangible assets and goodwill at beginning of period   (408) (320)  
Amortization charge   (94) (95)  
Disposals and derecognitions   44 7  
Intangible assets and goodwill at end of period   $ (458) $ (408) $ (320)