Document and Entity Information
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]  
Entity Registrant Name COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
Entity Central Index Key 0000021665
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers No
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 904,569,917
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1
Document Type 10-Q
Amendment Flag false
Trading Symbol CL
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2015