EXHIBIT 12 MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CALCULATION OF THE RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in millions) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, Year Year Year Year Year 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- EARNINGS Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and extraordinary loss* $ 626 $1,952 $3,440 $2,479 $2,168 $2,011 Add: Interest on debt 31 139 94 79 102 70 Interest component of the ESOP benefit expense 5 29 32 34 37 39 Portion of rent under operating leases representative of the interest component 10 41 41 46 51 46 Less: Equity in undistributed income of 20-50% owned companies 1 4 3 -- 1 2 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- TOTAL EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES $ 671 $2,157 $3,604 $2,638 $2,357 $2,164 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== FIXED CHARGES Interest on debt 31 139 94 79 102 70 Interest component of the ESOP benefit expense 5 29 32 34 37 39 Portion of rent under operating leases representative of the interest component 10 41 41 46 51 46 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ TOTAL FIXED CHARGES $ 46 $ 209 $ 167 $ 159 $ 190 $ 155 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 14.59 10.32 21.58 16.59 12.41 13.96 *1998 includes a pre-tax restructuring charge of $493 million; 1997 includes a pre-tax gain on the sale of National Advertising Company of $803 million; 1995 includes a pre-tax restructuring charge of $79 million.