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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Each Component of AOCI, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]            
Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation $ (144)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax $ (64)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax   $ (64)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax    
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (131)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax (103)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax        
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 1us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax 21us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax        
Net other comprehensive items (130)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (82)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (7)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (212)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (28)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax  
Less: Noncontrolling interest (1)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest (2)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest   (1)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest    
Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation (273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax (144)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax   (273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax    
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]            
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]            
Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation (74)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
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27us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  27us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (131)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
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(103)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
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Net other comprehensive items (131)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(103)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Less: Noncontrolling interest (1)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest
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(2)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest
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  (1)cbt_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributableToNonControllingInterest
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Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation (204)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(74)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  (204)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Unrealized Gains on Investments [Member]            
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]            
Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation           2us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation 2us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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2us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  2us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  2us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments [Member]            
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]            
Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation (72)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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(93)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  (93)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 1us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
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21us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
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Net other comprehensive items 1us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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21us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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Balance attributable to Cabot Corporation $ (71)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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$ (72)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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  $ (71)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
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