Name:	cat_FinancingReceivableModificationsAdditionalInvestmentsNotRecorded
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of remaining commitments to loan funds to a borrower whose terms had been modified in a troubled debt restructuring.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_FinancingReceivableModificationsRemainingCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	cat_LoansAndLeasesModifiedAsTdrAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	cat_LoansAndLeasesModifiedAsTdrWithinPreviousTwelveMonthsSubsequentlyDefaultedDuringCurrentPeriodAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 33

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953676-111524

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Post-modification amount of investment in financing receivables modified by troubled debt restructurings.

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Pre-modification amount of investment in financing receivables modified by troubled debt restructurings.

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsPreModificationRecordedInvestment2
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Number of financing receivables that have been modified by troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 34

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953682-111524

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultNumberOfContracts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of investment related to financing receivables modified by troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months, for which there was a payment default.