| Document and Entity Information | Feb. 28, 2022 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | BECTON DICKINSON & CO |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000010795 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | NJ |
| Entity File Number | 001-4802 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 22-0760120 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1 Becton Drive |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Franklin Lakes |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NJ |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 07417-1880 |
| City Area Code | (201) |
| Local Phone Number | 847-6800 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Common Stock, par value $1.00 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of 6.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B |
| Trading Symbol | BDXB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 1.000due December 152022 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX22A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 1.900due December 152026 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX26 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 1.401due May 242023 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX23A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 3.020due May 242025 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX25 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 0.632due June 42023 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX/23A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 1.208due June 42026 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX/26A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 1213 Due February 162036 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 1.213% Notes due February 12, 2036 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX/36 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 0000 Due August 132023 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 0.000% Notes due August 13, 2023 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX23B |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Notes 0034 Due August 132025 [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Security 12b Title | 0.034% Notes due August 13, 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | BDX25A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
