Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 20, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	CBT
Entity Registrant Name	Cabot Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000016040
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		56,600,026
Entity Public Float			$ 1,467,794,829
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	1-5667
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-2271897
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Seaport Lane
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1400
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02210
City Area Code	617
Local Phone Number	345-0100
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE