Segment Information Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 35,714	$ 29,128
Retail Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	22,826	19,916
AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		3,661	2,566
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[2]	850	545
Third-party seller services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[3]	6,438	4,801
Retail subscription services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[4]	$ 1,939	$ 1,300

[1] Includes product sales and digital media content where we record revenue gross. We leverage our retail infrastructure to offer a wide selection of consumable and durable goods that includes electronics and general merchandise as well as media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, music, video, games, and software. These product sales include digital products sold on a transactional basis; digital product subscriptions that provide unlimited viewing or usage rights are included in Retail subscription services.

[2] Includes sales not otherwise included above, such as certain advertising services and our co-branded credit card agreements.

[3] Includes commissions, related fulfillment and shipping fees, and other third-party seller services.

[4] Includes annual and monthly fees associated with Amazon Prime membership, as well as audiobook, e-book, digital video, digital music, and other subscription services.