<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<xbrl
  xml:lang="en-US"
  xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance"
  xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026"
  xmlns:exch="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2026"
  xmlns:ibm="http://www.ibm.com/20260714"
  xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase"
  xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2026"
  xmlns:xbrldi="http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
    <link:schemaRef xlink:href="ibm-20260714.xsd" xlink:type="simple"/>
    <context id="c-1">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-2">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">us-gaap:CommonStockMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XCHI</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-3">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">us-gaap:CommonStockMember</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-4">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes0.300PercentDue2026Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-5">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.250PercentDue2027Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-6">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3375NotesDue2027Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-7">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes0.300PercentDue2028Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-8">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.750PercentDue2028Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-9">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.500PercentDue2029Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-10">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes0.875PercentDue2030Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-11">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A2.900NotesDue2030Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-12">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.750PercentDue2031Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-13">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.000NotesDue2031Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-14">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3625NotesDue2031Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-15">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes0.650PercentDue2032Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-16">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.150NotesDue2033Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-17">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.450NotesDue2034Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-18">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.250PercentDue2034Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-19">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3750NotesDue2035Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-20">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.450NotesDue2037Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-21">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.850NotesDue2038Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-22">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A4875NotesDue2038Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-23">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Notes1.200PercentDue2040Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-24">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A4000NotesDue2043Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-25">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:A3.800NotesDue2045Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-26">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:FloatingRateNotesDue2028Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-27">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Debentures6.22PercentDue2027Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-28">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Debentures6.50PercentDue2028Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-29">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Debentures5.875PercentDue2032Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-30">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Debentures7.00PercentDue2045Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <context id="c-31">
        <entity>
            <identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0000051143</identifier>
            <segment>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="us-gaap:StatementClassOfStockAxis">ibm:Debentures7.125PercentDue2096Member</xbrldi:explicitMember>
                <xbrldi:explicitMember dimension="dei:EntityListingsExchangeAxis">exch:XNYS</xbrldi:explicitMember>
            </segment>
        </entity>
        <period>
            <startDate>2026-07-14</startDate>
            <endDate>2026-07-14</endDate>
        </period>
    </context>
    <dei:EntityCentralIndexKey contextRef="c-1" id="f-107">0000051143</dei:EntityCentralIndexKey>
    <dei:AmendmentFlag contextRef="c-1" id="f-108">false</dei:AmendmentFlag>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-2" id="f-109">CHX</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:DocumentType contextRef="c-1" id="f-1">8-K</dei:DocumentType>
    <dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate contextRef="c-1" id="f-2">2026-07-14</dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate>
    <dei:EntityRegistrantName contextRef="c-1" id="f-3">INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION</dei:EntityRegistrantName>
    <dei:EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode contextRef="c-1" id="f-4">NY</dei:EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode>
    <dei:EntityFileNumber contextRef="c-1" id="f-5">1-2360</dei:EntityFileNumber>
    <dei:EntityTaxIdentificationNumber contextRef="c-1" id="f-6">13-0871985</dei:EntityTaxIdentificationNumber>
    <dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1 contextRef="c-1" id="f-7">One New Orchard Road</dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1>
    <dei:EntityAddressCityOrTown contextRef="c-1" id="f-8">Armonk</dei:EntityAddressCityOrTown>
    <dei:EntityAddressStateOrProvince contextRef="c-1" id="f-9">NY</dei:EntityAddressStateOrProvince>
    <dei:EntityAddressPostalZipCode contextRef="c-1" id="f-10">10504</dei:EntityAddressPostalZipCode>
    <dei:CityAreaCode contextRef="c-1" id="f-11">914</dei:CityAreaCode>
    <dei:LocalPhoneNumber contextRef="c-1" id="f-12">499-1900</dei:LocalPhoneNumber>
    <dei:WrittenCommunications contextRef="c-1" id="f-13">false</dei:WrittenCommunications>
    <dei:SolicitingMaterial contextRef="c-1" id="f-14">false</dei:SolicitingMaterial>
    <dei:PreCommencementTenderOffer contextRef="c-1" id="f-15">false</dei:PreCommencementTenderOffer>
    <dei:PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer contextRef="c-1" id="f-16">false</dei:PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-2" id="f-17">Capital stock, par value $.20 per share</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-3" id="f-18">Capital stock, par value $.20 per share</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-3" id="f-19">IBM</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-2" id="f-20">IBM</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-3" id="f-21">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-4" id="f-22">0.300% Notes due 2026</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-4" id="f-23">IBM 26B</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-4" id="f-24">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-5" id="f-25">1.250% Notes due 2027</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-5" id="f-26">IBM 27B</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-5" id="f-27">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-6" id="f-28">3.375% Notes due 2027</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-6" id="f-29">IBM 27F</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-6" id="f-30">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-7" id="f-31">0.300% Notes due 2028</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-7" id="f-32">IBM 28B</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-7" id="f-33">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-8" id="f-34">1.750% Notes due 2028</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-8" id="f-35">IBM 28A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-8" id="f-36">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-9" id="f-37">1.500% Notes due 2029</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-9" id="f-38">IBM 29</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-9" id="f-39">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-10" id="f-40">0.875% Notes due 2030</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-10" id="f-41">IBM 30A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-10" id="f-42">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-11" id="f-43">2.900% Notes due 2030</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-11" id="f-44">IBM 30C</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-11" id="f-45">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-12" id="f-46">1.750% Notes due 2031</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-12" id="f-47">IBM 31</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-12" id="f-48">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-13" id="f-49">3.000% Notes due 2031</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-13" id="f-50">IBM 31A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-13" id="f-51">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-14" id="f-52">3.625% Notes due 2031</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-14" id="f-53">IBM 31B</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-14" id="f-54">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-15" id="f-55">0.650% Notes due 2032</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-15" id="f-56">IBM 32A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-15" id="f-57">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-16" id="f-58">3.150% Notes due 2033</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-16" id="f-59">IBM 33A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-16" id="f-60">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-17" id="f-61">3.450% Notes due 2034</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-17" id="f-62">IBM 34A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-17" id="f-63">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-18" id="f-64">1.250% Notes due 2034</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-18" id="f-65">IBM 34</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-18" id="f-66">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-19" id="f-67">3.750% Notes due 2035</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-19" id="f-68">IBM 35</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-19" id="f-69">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-20" id="f-70">3.450% Notes due 2037</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-20" id="f-71">IBM 37</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-20" id="f-72">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-21" id="f-73">3.850% Notes due 2038</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-21" id="f-74">IBM 38B</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-21" id="f-75">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-22" id="f-76">4.875% Notes due 2038</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-22" id="f-77">IBM 38</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-22" id="f-78">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-23" id="f-79">1.200% Notes due 2040</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-23" id="f-80">IBM 40</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-23" id="f-81">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-24" id="f-82">4.000% Notes due 2043</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-24" id="f-83">IBM 43</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-24" id="f-84">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-25" id="f-85">3.800% Notes due 2045</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-25" id="f-86">IBM 45A</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-25" id="f-87">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-26" id="f-88">Floating Rate Notes due 2028</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-26" id="f-89">IBM 28E</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-26" id="f-90">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-27" id="f-91">6.22% Debentures due 2027</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-27" id="f-92">IBM 27</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-27" id="f-93">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-28" id="f-94">6.50% Debentures due 2028</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-28" id="f-95">IBM 28</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-28" id="f-96">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-29" id="f-97">5.875% Debentures due 2032</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-29" id="f-98">IBM 32D</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-29" id="f-99">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-30" id="f-100">7.00% Debentures due 2045</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-30" id="f-101">IBM 45</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-30" id="f-102">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:Security12bTitle contextRef="c-31" id="f-103">7.125% Debentures due 2096</dei:Security12bTitle>
    <dei:TradingSymbol contextRef="c-31" id="f-104">IBM 96</dei:TradingSymbol>
    <dei:SecurityExchangeName contextRef="c-31" id="f-105">NYSE</dei:SecurityExchangeName>
    <dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany contextRef="c-1" id="f-106">false</dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany>
</xbrl>
