XML 163 R106.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Long-term debt (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt      
Total Machinery, Energy & Transportation $ 9,493cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent $ 7,999cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent $ 8,666cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent
Total Financial Products 18,291cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts 18,720cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts 19,086cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts
Total long-term debt due after one year 27,784us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 26,719us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 27,752us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Machinery, Energy & Transportation      
Long-term Debt      
Total Machinery, Energy & Transportation 9,493cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
7,999cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
8,666cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearMachineryEnergyTransNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Other 46us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
55us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
16us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Notes-1.375% due 2014      
Long-term Debt      
Notes 0us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2014At1375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2014At1375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
750us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2014At1375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 1.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2014At1375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Notes-5.700% due 2016      
Long-term Debt      
Notes 504us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2016At5700PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
506us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2016At5700PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
508us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2016At5700PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2016At5700PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2016At5700PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Notes-3.900% due 2021      
Long-term Debt      
Notes 1,246us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
1,246us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
1,245us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 3.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Notes-5.200% due 2041      
Long-term Debt      
Notes 757us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
757us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
757us-gaap_SeniorLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 5.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-0.950% due 2015      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2015At0950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
500cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2015At0950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
500cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2015At0950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 0.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2015At0950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2015At0950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-1.500% due 2017      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 500cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2017At1500PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
500cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2017At1500PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
499cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2017At1500PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2017At1500PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2017At1500PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-7.900% due 2018      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 899cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
899cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
899cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 7.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-9.375% due 2021      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 120cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
120cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
120cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 9.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-2.600% due 2022      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 498cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
498cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
498cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 2.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-8.000% due 2023      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 82cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
82cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
82cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-3.400% due 2024      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 1,000cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 3.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-6.625% due 2028      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 193cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
193cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
193cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-7.300% due 2031      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 241cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
241cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
241cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 7.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-5.300% due 2035      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 211cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
209cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
208cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 5.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Debentures, face value 307us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Debentures' effective yield to maturity (as a percent) 8.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-6.050% due 2036      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 459cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
459cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
459cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 6.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-8.250% due 2038      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 65cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
65cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
65cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 8.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-6.950% due 2042      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 160cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
160cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
160cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 6.95%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-3.803% due 2042      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 1,188cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
1,168cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
1,149cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 3.803%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Debentures, face value 1,722us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Debentures' effective yield to maturity (as a percent) 6.33%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-4.300% due 2044      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 497cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 4.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-4.750% due 2064      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 498cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
0cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Debentures-7.375% due 2097      
Long-term Debt      
Debentures 244cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
244cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
244cat_DebenturesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Debt instrument, interest rate (as a percent) 7.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Percentage of the redemption price to the principal amount of debentures to be redeemed 100.00%cat_NotesAndDebenturesRedemptionPriceAsPercentageOfPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cat_UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
   
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Capital lease obligations      
Long-term Debt      
Capital lease obligations 85us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
97us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
73us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Financial Products      
Long-term Debt      
Commercial paper 0us-gaap_CommercialPaperNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
0us-gaap_CommercialPaperNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
0us-gaap_CommercialPaperNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
Medium-term notes 17,295us-gaap_MediumtermNotesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
17,856us-gaap_MediumtermNotesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
18,036us-gaap_MediumtermNotesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
Other 996us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
864us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
1,050us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
Total Financial Products $ 18,291cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
$ 18,720cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
$ 19,086cat_LongTermDebtDueAfterOneYearFinancialProducts
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember