Kimberly-Clark (KMB) 10-Q 21 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 14, 2015
Document And Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Entity Registrant Name	KIMBERLY CLARK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	55785
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		364,099,179

Consolidated_Income_Statement_

Consolidated Income Statement Consolidated Income Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$4,691	$4,887
Cost of products sold	3,032	3,222
Gross Profit	1,659	1,665
Marketing, research and general expenses	849	896
Other (income) and expense, net	62	58
Operating Profit	748	711
Interest income	4	3
Interest expense	-72	-71
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Interests	680	643
Provision for income taxes	-230	-196
Income From Continuing Operations Before Equity Interests	450	447
Share of net income of equity companies	36	43
Income From Continuing Operations	486	490
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	56
Net Income	486	546
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in continuing operations	-18	-8
Net Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation	$468	$538
Basic
Continuing operations	$1.28	$1.27
Discontinued operations	$0	$0.15
Net income	$1.28	$1.42
Diluted
Continuing operations	$1.27	$1.26
Discontinued operations	$0	$0.15
Net income	$1.27	$1.41
Cash Dividends Declared	$0.88	$0.84

Consolidated_Statement_Of_Comp

Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$486	$546
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-468	-7
Employee postretirement benefits	8	14
Other	20	-4
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-440	3
Comprehensive Income	46	549
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-15	-3
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation	$31	$546

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$587	$789
Accounts receivable, net	2,244	2,223
Inventories	1,893	1,892
Other current assets	659	655
Total Current Assets	5,383	5,559
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	7,160	7,359
Investments in Equity Companies	290	257
Goodwill	1,538	1,628
Other Assets	682	723
TOTAL ASSETS	15,053	15,526
Current Liabilities
Debt payable within one year	1,612	1,326
Trade accounts payable	2,502	2,616
Accrued expenses	1,751	1,974
Dividends payable	321	310
Total Current Liabilities	6,186	6,226
Long-Term Debt	6,119	5,630
Noncurrent Employee Benefits	1,286	1,693
Deferred Income Taxes	663	587
Other Liabilities	315	319
Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiaries	72	72
Stockholders' Equity
Kimberly-Clark Corporation	193	729
Noncontrolling Interests	219	270
Total Stockholders' Equity	412	999
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$15,053	$15,526

Consolidated_Cash_Flow_Stateme

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Activities
Net Income	$486	$546
Depreciation and amortization	194	218
Stock-based compensation	15	9
Deferred income taxes	171	51
Equity companies' earnings (in excess of) less than dividends paid	-35	-43
(Increase) decrease in operating working capital	-446	-210
Postretirement benefits	-414	-156
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	45	0
Other	4	22
Cash Provided by Operations	20	437
Investing Activities
Capital spending	-284	-258
Investments in time deposits	-46	-38
Maturities of time deposits	73	157
Other	-24	5
Cash Used for Investing	-281	-134
Financing Activities
Cash dividends paid	-310	-309
Change in short-term debt	291	654
Debt proceeds	497	1
Debt repayments	-4	-101
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	41	37
Acquisitions of common stock for the treasury	-248	-441
Shares purchased from noncontrolling interest	-151	0
Other	-12	-21
Cash Used for Financing	104	-180
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	-45	-12
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-202	111
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year	789	1,054
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period	$587	$1,165

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form  10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been reflected. Dollar amounts are reported in millions, except per share dollar amounts, unless otherwise noted.
	We completed the spin-off of our health care business on October 31, 2014. As a result, the health care business is presented as discontinued operations on the Consolidated Income Statement for all periods presented, and prior period Consolidated Income Statements and related disclosures have been recast accordingly. Segment results present net sales and operating profit by segment on a continuing operations basis. Other comprehensive income and cash flows of the health care business are included within our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form  10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The terms "Corporation," "Kimberly-Clark," "K-C," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
	Highly Inflationary Accounting for Venezuelan Operations
	We account for our operations in Venezuela using highly inflationary accounting. Since February 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela's regulated currency exchange system rate has been 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. During March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a complementary currency exchange system, SICAD. In February 2014, the president of Venezuela announced that another floating rate exchange system (referred to as SICAD II) would be initiated. On February 10, 2015, the Venezuelan government announced the addition of a new foreign currency exchange system referred to as the Marginal Currency System, or SIMADI, along with the elimination of the SICAD II system.
	We have historically measured results in Venezuela at the rate in which we transact our business. We have qualified for access to the official exchange rate because we manufacture and sell price-controlled products. Since March 2013, exchange transactions have taken place through letters of credit which resulted in an effective exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar and through approved transactions using the regulated currency exchange system, which were also at a 6.3 exchange rate. To date, we have not been invited to participate in SICAD, and we did not seek exchange at SICAD II or SIMADI because we qualify for the more favorable official 6.3 rate and have chosen to pursue exchange at that rate.
	We continue to manufacture and sell products in Venezuela as well as import raw materials and finished goods under approved foreign exchange transactions. We continued to measure results at the 6.3 rate through December 31, 2014, however, given the level of uncertainty and lack of liquidity in Venezuela, in part due to recent declines in the price of oil, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 at the year-end floating SICAD II exchange rate of 50 bolivars per U.S. dollar as we believed this was the most accessible rate available in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $462 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	With the elimination of SICAD II in February 2015, we remeasured our local currency-denominated balance sheet during the first quarter of 2015 at the applicable floating SIMADI exchange rate (193 bolivars per U.S. dollar at March 31, 2015) as we believe this is the most accessible rate available to us in the absence of exchange at 6.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. This remeasurement resulted in a non-deductible charge of $45 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2015, with $5 recorded in cost of products sold and $40 recorded in other (income) and expense, net. At March 31, 2015, our net investment in K-C Venezuela was $107, and the bolivar-denominated net monetary asset position (primarily cash) was not significant. Net sales of K-C Venezuela represented less than 0.5 percent and 3 percent of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance.  The standard is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  The FASB has proposed delaying this standard by one year. If the proposal is approved, early adoption would be permitted as of the original effective date. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The effects of this standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are not yet known.

2014_Organization_Restructurin

2014 Organization Restructuring (2014 Organization Restructuring [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	2014 Organization Restructuring
	In October 2014, we initiated a restructuring plan in order to improve organization efficiency and offset the impact of stranded overhead costs resulting from the spin-off of our health care business. The restructuring is intended to improve our underlying profitability and increase our flexibility to invest in targeted growth initiatives, brand building and other capabilities critical to delivering future growth. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2016, with total costs, primarily severance, anticipated to be $130 to $160 after tax ($190 to $230 pre-tax). Cash costs are projected to be approximately 80 percent of the total charges. The restructuring is expected to impact all of our business segments and our organizations in all major geographies.
	Charges in the first quarter of 2015 were recorded in the following income statement line items:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Cost of products sold	$	8
	Marketing, research and general expenses	5
	Provision for income taxes	(8		)
	Net charges	$	5
	Approximately two-thirds of the pre-tax charges were recorded outside North America and one-third was recorded in North America. Through March 31, 2015, cumulative pre-tax charges for the restructuring were $146 ($100 after tax), including cumulative pre-tax cash charges of $116. Cash payments during the first quarter of 2015 related to the restructuring were $31.

Fair_Value_Information

Fair Value Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Information	Fair Value Information
	The following fair value information is based on a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels in the hierarchy used to measure fair value are:
	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets accessible at the reporting date for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets. Quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not considered active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are significant to the valuation and are unobservable.
	A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the full year 2014, there were no significant transfers among level 1, 2, or 3 fair value determinations.
	Company-owned life insurance ("COLI") assets and derivative assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at fair value. COLI assets were $59 and $58 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The COLI policies are a source of funding primarily for our nonqualified employee benefits and are included in other assets. The fair value of the COLI policies is considered a level 2 measurement and is derived from investments in a mix of money market, fixed income and equity funds managed by unrelated fund managers. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, derivative assets were $89 and $54, respectively, and derivative liabilities were $132 and $116, respectively. The fair values of derivatives used to manage interest rate risk and commodity price risk are based on LIBOR rates and interest rate swap curves and NYMEX price quotations, respectively. The fair value of hedging instruments used to manage foreign currency risk is based on published quotations of spot currency rates and forward points, which are converted into implied forward currency rates. Measurement of our derivative assets and liabilities is considered a level 2 measurement. Additional information on our classification and use of derivative instruments is contained in Note 7.
	The following table includes the fair value of our financial instruments for which disclosure of fair value is required:
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents(a)	1	$	587	$	587	$	789	$	789
	Time deposits(b)	1	102		102		130		130
	Liabilities and redeemable securities of subsidiaries
	Short-term debt(c)	2	1,064		1,064		777		777
	Long-term debt(d)	2	6,667		7,489		6,179		6,963
	Redeemable securities of subsidiaries(e)	3	72		72		72		72
	(a)	Cash equivalents are composed of certificates of deposit, time deposits and other interest-bearing investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(b)	Time deposits are composed of deposits with original maturities of more than 90 days but less than one year and instruments with original maturities of greater than one year, included in other current assets or other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as appropriate. Time deposits are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(c)	Short-term debt is composed of U.S. commercial paper and/or other similar short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, all of which are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(d)	Long-term debt includes the current portion of these debt instruments. Fair values were estimated based on quoted prices for financial instruments for which all significant inputs were observable, either directly or indirectly.
	(e)	The redeemable securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, fair values were calculated using a floating rate pricing model that compared the stated spread to the fair value spread to determine the price at which each of the financial instruments should trade. The model used the following inputs to calculate fair values: face value, current LIBOR rate, unobservable fair value credit spread, stated spread, maturity date and interest or dividend payment dates. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee_Postretirement_Benefi

Employee Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Postretirement Benefits	Employee Postretirement Benefits
	The table below presents net periodic benefit cost information for defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefit plans:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	10		$	11		$	4	$	4
	Interest cost	64			68			8		9
	Expected return on plan assets	(75		)	(82		)	—		—
	Recognized net actuarial loss	29			24			—		—
	Settlements	9			—			—		—
	Other	(5		)	5			—		—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	32		$	26		$	12	$	13
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we made cash contributions of $435 and $180, respectively, to our pension trusts. Effective January 2015, the U.S. pension plan was amended to include a lump-sum pension benefit payout option for certain plan participants. In addition, in February 2015, we entered into agreements to purchase group annuity contracts that will transfer to two insurance companies the pension benefit obligations for approximately 21,000 Kimberly-Clark retirees in the United States. Assuming all closing conditions are satisfied, we expect these transactions will be completed in the second quarter of 2015. In connection with these transactions, during the first quarter of 2015 we made a $410 contribution to our U.S. pension plan in order to maintain the plan’s funded status. As a result of these changes, we expect to recognize total pension settlement charges of $0.8 billion after tax ($1.3 billion pre-tax) in 2015, mostly in the second quarter. In total we expect to contribute $450 to $500 to our defined benefit pension plans for the full year 2015.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share ("EPS")
	There are no adjustments required to be made to net income for purposes of computing EPS. A reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted EPS computations follows:
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
	(Millions of shares)	2015	2014
	Basic	365.2	379
	Dilutive effect of stock options	1	1.3
	Dilutive effect of restricted share and restricted share unit awards	1.7	1.8
	Diluted	367.9	382.1
	There were no significant outstanding stock-based awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The number of common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 364.3 million and 377.2 million, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity
	Set forth below is a reconciliation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 of the carrying amount of total stockholders' equity from the beginning of the period to the end of the period.
			Stockholders' Equity Attributable to
			The Corporation			Noncontrolling Interests
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	729		$	270
	Net Income		468			16
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax
	Unrealized translation		(465		)	(3		)
	Employee postretirement benefits		8			—
	Other		20			—
	Stock-based awards exercised or vested		41			—
	Recognition of stock-based compensation		15			—
	Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation		13			—
	Shares repurchased		(210		)	—
	Dividends declared		(321		)	(19		)
	Other		(105		)	(45		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	193		$	219
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased 1.8 million shares at a total cost of $200.
	Net unrealized currency gains or losses resulting from the translation of assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, except those in highly inflationary economies, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). For these operations, changes in exchange rates generally do not affect cash flows; therefore, unrealized translation is recorded in AOCI rather than net income. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of any of these subsidiaries, the applicable unrealized translation would be removed from AOCI and reported as part of the gain or loss on the sale or liquidation.
	Also included in unrealized translation are the effects of foreign exchange rate changes on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature and transactions designated as hedges of net foreign investments.
	The change in net unrealized currency translation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus most foreign currencies, including the Brazilian real, Euro, British pound sterling and Australian dollar.
	The changes in the components of AOCI attributable to Kimberly-Clark, net of tax, are as follows:
			Unrealized Translation			Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Other Postretirement Benefit Plans			Cash Flow Hedges and Other
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(525	)	$	(1,668	)		$	(15	)	$	(34	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(2		)	(2		)		—			(4		)
	(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		—			16			(a)	—			—
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2		)	14				—			(4		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(527	)	$	(1,654	)		$	(15	)	$	(38	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(1,335	)	$	(1,924	)		$	(37	)	$	(16	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(465		)	(8		)		2			37
	(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		—			14			(a)	—			(17		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(465		)	6				2			20
	Other		(12		)	—				—			—
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(1,812	)	$	(1,918	)		$	(35	)	$	4
	(a)	Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4).
	During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Israel, Hogla-Kimberly, Ltd., for $151. As our subsidiary in Turkey was wholly-owned by our subsidiary in Israel, through this acquisition we also effectively acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Turkey, Kimberly-Clark Tuketim Mallari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.s. The acquisition was recorded as an equity transaction that reduced noncontrolling interests, AOCI and additional paid-in capital by $45, $12 and $94, respectively.
	The purchase of additional ownership in an already controlled subsidiary is treated as an equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized in consolidated net income or comprehensive income. The effect of the change in ownership interest is as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Net Income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation		$	468
	Decrease in Kimberly-Clark Corporation's additional paid-in capital for acquisition		(94		)
	Change from net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and transfers to noncontrolling interest		$	374

Objectives_And_Strategies_For_

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives	Objectives and Strategies for Using Derivatives
	As a multinational enterprise, we are exposed to financial risks, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices. We employ a number of practices to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. We enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of forecasted cash flows denominated in foreign currencies for non-U.S. operations' purchases of raw materials, which are priced in U.S. dollars, and imports of intercompany finished goods and work-in-process priced predominantly in U.S. dollars and euros. The derivative instruments used to manage these exposures are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The foreign currency exposure on certain non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, primarily intercompany loans and accounts payable, is hedged with primarily undesignated derivative instruments.
	Interest rate risk is managed using a portfolio of variable- and fixed-rate debt composed of short- and long-term instruments. Interest rate swap contracts may be used to facilitate the maintenance of the desired ratio of variable- and fixed-rate debt and are designated and qualify as fair value hedges. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt, using forward-starting swaps, and these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
	We use derivative instruments, such as forward swap contracts, to hedge a limited portion of our exposure to market risk arising from changes in prices of certain commodities. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of specific quantities of the underlying commodity expected to be purchased in future months.
	Translation adjustments result from translating foreign entities' financial statements into U.S. dollars from their functional currencies. The risk to any particular entity's net assets is reduced to the extent that the entity is financed with local currency borrowing. Translation exposure, which results from changes in translation rates between functional currencies and the U.S. dollar, generally is not hedged. However, consistent with other years, a portion of our net investment in our Mexican affiliate has been hedged. At March 31, 2015, we had in place net investment hedges of $138 for a portion of our investment in our Mexican affiliate.
	Set forth below is a summary of the total designated and undesignated fair values of our derivative instruments:
		Assets				Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	87	$	54	$	104	$	102
	Interest rate contracts	2		—		11		4
	Commodity price contracts	—		—		17		10
	Total	$	89	$	54	$	132	$	116
	The derivative assets are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in other current assets and other assets, as appropriate. The derivative liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued expenses and other liabilities, as appropriate.
	Derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are predominantly used to manage interest rate risk. The fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded as an asset or liability, as appropriate, with the offset recorded in current earnings. The offset to the change in fair values of the related hedged items also is recorded in current earnings. Any realized gain or loss on the derivatives that hedge interest rate risk is amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. At March 31, 2015, the aggregate notional values of outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges were $250. Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, gains or losses recognized in interest expense for interest rate swaps were not significant. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, no gain or loss was recognized in earnings as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge.
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is initially recorded in AOCI, net of related income taxes, and recognized in earnings in the same period that the hedged exposure affects earnings. As of March 31, 2015, outstanding commodity forward contracts were in place to hedge a limited portion of our estimated requirements of the related underlying commodities in the remainder of 2015 and future periods. As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate notional values of outstanding foreign exchange and interest rate derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges were $800 and $200, respectively. Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, no gains or losses were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the original forecasted transaction no longer being probable of occurring. At March 31, 2015, $30 of after-tax gains are expected to be reclassified from AOCI, primarily to cost of products sold, during the next twelve months, consistent with the timing of the recognition of the underlying hedged transactions. The maximum maturity of cash flow hedges in place at March 31, 2015 is December 2017.
	Gains or losses on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments are immediately recognized in other (income) and expense, net. Losses of $155 and gains of $13 were recorded in the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effect on earnings from the use of these non-designated derivatives is substantially neutralized by the transactional gains and losses recorded on the underlying assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2015, the notional amount of these undesignated derivative instruments was $2.4 billion.

Description_Of_Business_Segmen

Description Of Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information
	We are organized into operating segments based on product groupings. These operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable global business segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue and K-C Professional. The reportable segments were determined in accordance with how our executive managers develop and execute global strategies to drive growth and profitability. These strategies include global plans for branding and product positioning, technology, research and development programs, cost reductions including supply chain management, and capacity and capital investments for each of these businesses. Segment management is evaluated on several factors, including operating profit. Segment operating profit excludes other (income) and expense, net and income and expense not associated with the business segments.
	The principal sources of revenue in each global business segment are described below:
	•	Personal Care brands offer parents a trusted partner in caring for their families and deliver confidence, protection and discretion to adults through a wide variety of innovative solutions and products such as disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, and other related products. Products in this segment are sold under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depend, Plenitud, Poise and other brand names.
	•	Consumer Tissue offers a wide variety of innovative solutions and trusted brands that touch and improve people's lives every day.  Products in this segment include facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins and related products, and are sold under the Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, Viva, Andrex, Scottex, Neve and other brand names.
	•	K-C Professional helps transform workplaces for employees and patrons, making them healthier, safer and more productive, through a range of solutions and supporting products such as apparel, wipers, soaps, sanitizers, tissue and towels.  Key brands in this segment include Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech and Jackson Safety.
	The following schedules present information concerning consolidated operations by business segment:
			Three Months Ended March 31
			2015			2014			Change
	NET SALES
	Personal Care		$	2,308		$	2,382		-3.1	%
	Consumer Tissue		1,574			1,689			-6.8	%
	K-C Professional		795			800			-0.6	%
	Corporate & Other		14			16			N.M.
	TOTAL NET SALES		$	4,691		$	4,887		-4	%
	OPERATING PROFIT
	Personal Care		$	455		$	457		-0.4	%
	Consumer Tissue		291			257			13.2	%
	K-C Professional		134			135			-0.7	%
	Corporate & Other		(70		)	(80		)	N.M.
	Other (income) and expense, net		62			58			6.9	%
	TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT		$	748		$	711		5.2	%
	N.M. - Not Meaningful

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Dat

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure	Supplemental Balance Sheet Data
	The following schedule presents a summary of inventories by major class:
			March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
			LIFO				Non-LIFO		Total			LIFO			Non-LIFO		Total
	At the lower of cost, determined on the FIFO or weighted-average cost methods, or market
	Raw materials		$	103			$	319	$	422		$	104		$	322	$	426
	Work-in-process		127				90		217			120			95		215
	Finished goods		531				652		1,183			511			672		1,183
	Supplies and other		—				282		282			—			288		288
			761				1,343		2,104			735			1,377		2,112
	Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost		(211		)		—		(211		)	(220		)	—		(220		)
	Total		$	550			$	1,343	$	1,893		$	515		$	1,377	$	1,892
	The following schedule presents a summary of property, plant and equipment, net:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
	Land	$	175			$	177
	Buildings	2,554				2,574
	Machinery and equipment	13,274				13,437
	Construction in progress	510				591
		16,513				16,779
	Less accumulated depreciation	(9,353		)		(9,420		)
	Total	$	7,160			$	7,359

2014_Organization_Restructurin1

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring (Tables) (2014 Organization Restructuring [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	Charges in the first quarter of 2015 were recorded in the following income statement line items:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Cost of products sold	$	8
	Marketing, research and general expenses	5
	Provision for income taxes	(8		)
	Net charges	$	5

Fair_Value_Information_Tables

Fair Value Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of financial instruments	The following table includes the fair value of our financial instruments for which disclosure of fair value is required:
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents(a)	1	$	587	$	587	$	789	$	789
	Time deposits(b)	1	102		102		130		130
	Liabilities and redeemable securities of subsidiaries
	Short-term debt(c)	2	1,064		1,064		777		777
	Long-term debt(d)	2	6,667		7,489		6,179		6,963
	Redeemable securities of subsidiaries(e)	3	72		72		72		72
	(a)	Cash equivalents are composed of certificates of deposit, time deposits and other interest-bearing investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(b)	Time deposits are composed of deposits with original maturities of more than 90 days but less than one year and instruments with original maturities of greater than one year, included in other current assets or other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as appropriate. Time deposits are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(c)	Short-term debt is composed of U.S. commercial paper and/or other similar short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, all of which are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
	(d)	Long-term debt includes the current portion of these debt instruments. Fair values were estimated based on quoted prices for financial instruments for which all significant inputs were observable, either directly or indirectly.
	(e)	The redeemable securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, fair values were calculated using a floating rate pricing model that compared the stated spread to the fair value spread to determine the price at which each of the financial instruments should trade. The model used the following inputs to calculate fair values: face value, current LIBOR rate, unobservable fair value credit spread, stated spread, maturity date and interest or dividend payment dates. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee_Postretirement_Benefi1

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of net periodic benefit cost	The table below presents net periodic benefit cost information for defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefit plans:
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	10		$	11		$	4	$	4
	Interest cost	64			68			8		9
	Expected return on plan assets	(75		)	(82		)	—		—
	Recognized net actuarial loss	29			24			—		—
	Settlements	9			—			—		—
	Other	(5		)	5			—		—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	32		$	26		$	12	$	13

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
	(Millions of shares)	2015	2014
	Basic	365.2	379
	Dilutive effect of stock options	1	1.3
	Dilutive effect of restricted share and restricted share unit awards	1.7	1.8
	Diluted	367.9	382.1

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components Of Stockholders' Equity
			Stockholders' Equity Attributable to
			The Corporation			Noncontrolling Interests
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	729		$	270
	Net Income		468			16
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax
	Unrealized translation		(465		)	(3		)
	Employee postretirement benefits		8			—
	Other		20			—
	Stock-based awards exercised or vested		41			—
	Recognition of stock-based compensation		15			—
	Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation		13			—
	Shares repurchased		(210		)	—
	Dividends declared		(321		)	(19		)
	Other		(105		)	(45		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	193		$	219
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
			Unrealized Translation			Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Other Postretirement Benefit Plans			Cash Flow Hedges and Other
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(525	)	$	(1,668	)		$	(15	)	$	(34	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(2		)	(2		)		—			(4		)
	(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		—			16			(a)	—			—
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2		)	14				—			(4		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(527	)	$	(1,654	)		$	(15	)	$	(38	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(1,335	)	$	(1,924	)		$	(37	)	$	(16	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(465		)	(8		)		2			37
	(Income) loss reclassified from AOCI		—			14			(a)	—			(17		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(465		)	6				2			20
	Other		(12		)	—				—			—
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(1,812	)	$	(1,918	)		$	(35	)	$	4
	(a)	Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4).
	During the first quarter of 2015, we acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Israel, Hogla-Kimberly, Ltd., for $151. As our subsidiary in Turkey was wholly-owned by our subsidiary in Israel, through this acquisition we also effectively acquired the remaining 49.9 percent interest in our subsidiary in Turkey, Kimberly-Clark Tuketim Mallari Sanayi ve Ticaret A.s. The acquisition was recorded as an equity transaction that reduced noncontrolling interests, AOCI and additional paid-in capital by $45, $12 and $94, respectively.
	The purchase of additional ownership in an already controlled subsidiary is treated as an equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized in consolidated net income or comprehensive income. The effect of the change in ownership interest is as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Net Income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation		$	468
	Decrease in Kimberly-Clark Corporation's additional paid-in capital for acquisition		(94		)
	Change from net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and transfers to noncontrolling interest		$	374
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Table Text Block]	The effect of the change in ownership interest is as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Net Income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation		$	468
	Decrease in Kimberly-Clark Corporation's additional paid-in capital for acquisition		(94		)
	Change from net income attributable to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and transfers to noncontrolling interest		$	374

Objectives_And_Strategies_For_1

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Total Designated and Undesignated Fair Value of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]
		Assets				Liabilities
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	87	$	54	$	104	$	102
	Interest rate contracts	2		—		11		4
	Commodity price contracts	—		—		17		10
	Total	$	89	$	54	$	132	$	116

Description_Of_Business_Segmen1

Description Of Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information Concerning Consolidated Operations by Business Segment	The following schedules present information concerning consolidated operations by business segment:
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2015			2014			Change
	NET SALES
	Personal Care	$	2,308		$	2,382		-3.1	%
	Consumer Tissue	1,574			1,689			-6.8	%
	K-C Professional	795			800			-0.6	%
	Corporate & Other	14			16			N.M.
	TOTAL NET SALES	$	4,691		$	4,887		-4	%
	OPERATING PROFIT
	Personal Care	$	455		$	457		-0.4	%
	Consumer Tissue	291			257			13.2	%
	K-C Professional	134			135			-0.7	%
	Corporate & Other	(70		)	(80		)	N.M.
	Other (income) and expense, net	62			58			6.9	%
	TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT	$	748		$	711		5.2	%
	N.M. - Not Meaningful

Summary_of_Balance_Sheet_Data_

Summary of Balance Sheet Data (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current
			March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
			LIFO				Non-LIFO		Total			LIFO			Non-LIFO		Total
	At the lower of cost, determined on the FIFO or weighted-average cost methods, or market
	Raw materials		$	103			$	319	$	422		$	104		$	322	$	426
	Work-in-process		127				90		217			120			95		215
	Finished goods		531				652		1,183			511			672		1,183
	Supplies and other		—				282		282			—			288		288
			761				1,343		2,104			735			1,377		2,112
	Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost		(211		)		—		(211		)	(220		)	—		(220		)
	Total		$	550			$	1,343	$	1,893		$	515		$	1,377	$	1,892
Property, Plant and Equipment
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
	Land	$	175			$	177
	Buildings	2,554				2,574
	Machinery and equipment	13,274				13,437
	Construction in progress	510				591
		16,513				16,779
	Less accumulated depreciation	(9,353		)		(9,420		)
	Total	$	7,160			$	7,359

Accounting_Policies_Narrative_

Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	($45)	0
K-C Venezuela [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	45		462
Net Investment Foreign Operations	107
Portion Of Consolidate Net Sales Earned By Affiliate Percent	0.50%	3.00%
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member]
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	40
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Cost of products sold
Charge for Venezuelan balance sheet remeasurement	$5
K-C Venezuela [Member] | SICAD II exchange rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate			50
K-C Venezuela [Member] | SIMADI exchange rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate	193
K-C Venezuela [Member] | Central Bank System Rate [Member]
Bolivar to USD Exchange Rate	6.3

2014_Organization_Restructurin2

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges, Charges in North America as a Percentage of Total Charges	33.00%
Projected cash costs as a percentage of total charges	80.00%
Cash payments	$31
Restructuring Charges, Charges Outside North America as a Percentage of Total Charges	67.00%
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges	5	100
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges		146
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Before Tax [Member] | Cash charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Charges		116
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Minimum [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	130	130
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	190	190
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Maximum [Member] | After Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	160	160
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Before Tax [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Expected restructuring charges	$230	$230

2014_Organization_Restructurin3

2014 Organization Restructuring 2014 Organization Restructuring Tables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Provision for income taxes	$230	$196
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Provision for income taxes	-8
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Cost of products sold
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	8
2014 Organization Restructuring [Member] | Marketing, research and general expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	5
After Tax [Member] | 2014 Organization Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring charges	$5		$100

Fair_Value_Information_Narrati

Fair Value Information (Narrative) (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Company-owned life insurance (bCOLIb)	$59	$58
Derivatives Assets	89	54
Derivatives Liability	$132	$116

Fair_Value_Information_Fair_Va

Fair Value Information (Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents(a)	$587	[1]	$789	[1]
Time deposits(b)	102	[2]	130	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash and cash equivalents(a)	587	[1]	789	[1]
Time deposits(b)	102	[2]	130	[2]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term debt(c)	1,064	[3]	777	[3]
Long-term debt(d)	6,667	[4]	6,179	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Short-term debt(c)	1,064	[3]	777	[3]
Long-term debt(d)	7,489	[4]	6,963	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Redeemable securities of subsidiaries(e)	72	[5]	72	[5]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Redeemable securities of subsidiaries(e)	$72	[5]	$72	[5]
[1]	Cash equivalents are composed of certificates of deposit, time deposits and other interest-bearing investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
[2]	Time deposits are composed of deposits with original maturities of more than 90 days but less than one year and instruments with original maturities of greater than one year, included in other current assets or other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as appropriate. Time deposits are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
[3]	Short-term debt is composed of U.S. commercial paper and/or other similar short-term debt issued by non-U.S. subsidiaries, all of which are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
[4]	Long-term debt includes the current portion of these debt instruments. Fair values were estimated based on quoted prices for financial instruments for which all significant inputs were observable, either directly or indirectly.
[5]	The redeemable securities of subsidiaries are not traded in active markets. For certain instruments, fair values were calculated using a floating rate pricing model that compared the stated spread to the fair value spread to determine the price at which each of the financial instruments should trade. The model used the following inputs to calculate fair values: face value, current LIBOR rate, unobservable fair value credit spread, stated spread, maturity date and interest or dividend payment dates. Additionally, the fair value of the remaining redeemable securities was based on various inputs, including an independent third-party appraisal, adjusted for current market conditions.

Employee_Postretirement_Benefi2

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension trusts	$435	$180
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contribution to pension trusts	410
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	-9	0
Pension Plan [Member] | Before Tax [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements			1,300
Pension Plan [Member] | After Tax [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements			800
Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution to defined benefit pension plans	450
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contribution to defined benefit pension plans	$500

Employee_Postretirement_Benefi3

Employee Postretirement Benefits (Benefit Cost Information For Defined Benefit Plans And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	$10	$11
Interest cost	64	68
Expected return on plan assets	-75	-82
Recognized net actuarial loss	29	24
Settlements	9	0
Other	-5	5
Net periodic benefit cost	32	26
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Service cost	4	4
Interest cost	8	9
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	0	0
Settlements	0	0
Other	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$12	$13

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common shares outstanding	364.3	377.2

Earnings_Per_Share_Average_Com

Earnings Per Share (Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic And Diluted) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Basic	365.2	379
Diluted	367.9	382.1
Equity Option [Member]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of stock options	1	1.3
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of stock options	1.7	1.8

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Repurchased shares	1.8
Repurchased shares, total cost	$200,000,000
Reduction in noncontrolling interests	45,000,000
Reduction in AOCI	12,000,000
Reduction in additional paid-in capital	94,000,000
Israel [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest acquired	4990.00%
Payment to acquired noncontrolling interest	$151,000,000
Turkey [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest acquired	4990.00%

Stockholders_Equity_Components

Stockholders' Equity (Components Of Stockholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Kimberly-Clark Corporation	$193		$729
Noncontrolling Interests	219		270
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014	999
Net Income	486	546
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-468	-7
Employee postretirement benefits	8	14
Other	20	-4
Balance at March 31, 2015	412
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	468
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-465	-2
Employee postretirement benefits	8
Other	20	-4
Stock-based awards exercised or vested	41
Recognition of stock-based compensation	15
Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation	13
Shares repurchased	-210
Dividends declared	-321
Other	-105
Balance at March 31, 2015	193
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	16
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-3
Employee postretirement benefits	0
Other	0
Stock-based awards exercised or vested	0
Recognition of stock-based compensation	0
Income tax benefits on stock-based compensation	0
Shares repurchased	0
Dividends declared	-19
Other	-45
Balance at March 31, 2015	$219

Stockholders_Equity_Components1

Stockholders' Equity (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Unrealized translation - Beginning balance	($1,335)		($525)
Cash flow hedge and other - Beginning balance	-16		-34
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-465		-2
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI	0		0
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	37		-4
Income/loss reclassified from AOCI	-17		0
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-468		-7
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-8		-14
Unrealized translation - Ending balance	-1,812		-527
Cash flow hedge and other - Ending balance	4		-38
Other	20		-4
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Beginning balance	-1,924		-1,668
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	-8		-2
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI	14	[1]	16	[1]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Ending balance	-1,918		-1,654
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Beginning balance	-37		-15
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	2		0
(Income)/loss reclassified from AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plans - Ending balance	-35		-15
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	0
Parent [Member]
Unrealized currency translation adjustments	-465		-2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-8
Other	20		-4
Parent [Member] | Pension Plan [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-6		-14
Parent [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-2		0
Unrealized Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	12
Cash Flow Hedges and Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	$0
[1]	(a)Included in computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits costs (see Note 4).

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Effect of Change in Ownership) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$468	$538
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Decrease from Purchase of Noncontrolling Interests	-94
Stockholders' Equity, Change in Net Income and Transfers to Noncontolling Interest	$374

Objectives_And_Strategies_For_2

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Fair value hedge ineffectiveness assertion	Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings as a result of hedge not qualifying as a fair value hedge	$0	$0
Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness assertion	Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Gain (loss) reclassified into earnings as a result of discontinuance of cash flow hedges	0	0
After-tax gains expected to be reclassified from AOCI	30,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	2,400,000,000
Gain (loss) on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments	-155,000,000	13,000,000
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	138,000,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	250,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Maximum maturity of cash flow hedges outstanding	1-Dec-17
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	200,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Aggregate notional values of outstanding derivatives	$810,000,000

Objectives_And_Strategies_For_3

Objectives And Strategies For Using Derivatives Summary of total and undesignated fair values of derivative instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative
Assets	$89	$54
Liabilities	132	116
Foreign currency exchange contracts
Derivative
Assets	87	54
Liabilities	104	102
Interest rate contracts
Derivative
Assets	2	0
Liabilities	11	4
Commodity price contracts
Derivative
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	$17	$10

Description_Of_Business_Segmen2

Description Of Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Sales	$4,691	$4,887
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change	-4.00%
Total Operating Profit	748	711
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change	5.20%
Other (income) and expense, net	62	58
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net, Percent Change	6.90%
Personal Care [Member]
Net Sales	2,308	2,382
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change	-3.10%
Total Operating Profit	455	457
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change	-0.40%
Consumer Tissue [Member]
Net Sales	1,574	1,689
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change	-6.80%
Total Operating Profit	291	257
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change	13.20%
K-C Professional
Net Sales	795	800
Sales Revenue, Net, Percent Change	-0.60%
Total Operating Profit	134	135
Operating Income (Loss), Percent Change	-0.70%
Corporate and Other [Member]
Net Sales	14	16
Total Operating Profit	($70)	($80)

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Dat1

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data - Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Raw materials	$422	$426
Work in process	217	215
Finished goods	1,183	1,183
Supplies and other	282	288
Inventory, Gross	2,104	2,112
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	-211	-220
Total	1,893	1,892
LIFO [Member]
Raw materials	103	104
Work in process	127	120
Finished goods	531	511
Supplies and other	0	0
Inventory, Gross	761	735
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	-211	-220
Total	550	515
Non-LIFO [Member]
Raw materials	319	322
Work in process	90	95
Finished goods	652	672
Supplies and other	282	288
Inventory, Gross	1,343	1,377
Excess of FIFO or weighted-average cost over LIFO cost	0	0
Total	$1,343	$1,377

Supplemental_Balance_Sheet_Dat2

Supplemental Balance Sheet Data - Property Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$175	$177
Buildings	2,554	2,574
Machinery and equipment	13,274	13,437
Construction in progress	510	591
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	16,513	16,779
Less accumulated depreciation	-9,353	-9,420
Total	$7,160	$7,359