| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2406404 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) (http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/role/IntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails) |
| Table | Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000090185 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Amortizable Intangible Assets [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31 | 2012-01-01 - 2012-12-31 | 2011-01-01 - 2011-12-31 | |||
| Range [Axis] | Range [Axis] | Range [Axis] | |||
| Minimum [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Range [Domain] | Range [Domain] | Range [Domain] | |
Acquired amortizable intangible assets, amount | 155,000,000 | ||||
Goodwill added during period | (2,000,000) | 222,000,000 | |||
Amortization expense | 27,000,000 | 32,000,000 | 17,000,000 | ||
Estimated useful life | P1Y | P20Y | |||
Finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense, four year estimate, minimum | 21,000,000 | ||||
Finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense, four year estimate, maximum | 24,000,000 | ||||