| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2412402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails) |
| Table | Income Taxes [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000090185 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Income Taxes [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] | |||
| Maximum [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Range [Domain] | Range [Domain] | Range [Domain] | |
Effective tax rate | .253 | .298 | .286 | ||
Undistributed earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries | 1,417,000,000 | ||||
Operating loss carryforward, subject to expiration | 9,000,000 | ||||
Range of years, deferred tax expense | 2033 | 2014 | |||
Operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance | 4,000,000 | ||||
Net unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate | 24,000,000 | 20,000,000 | 21,000,000 | ||
Decrease due to audit activity and statute of limitation expirations | 2,000,000 | ||||
Unrecognized tax benefits and expense | 0 | 1,000,000 | 2,000,000 | ||
Interest, net of tax and penalties accrued | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | |||