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

This element represents the aggregate amount of finance receivables due as of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due after year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the guaranteed residual value of finance receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the unguaranteed residual value of finance receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of deferred interest and fee income, unamortized costs incurred to originate loans and leases, unamortized loan commitments and loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of acquired loans. Excludes amounts for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378556&loc=d3e10152-111534

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before allowance and after deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 2) (Finance Receivables, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2015	$ 9,155
2016	6,038cat_FinanceReceivablesDueInYearTwo
2017	4,239cat_FinanceReceivablesDueInYearThree
2018	2,169cat_FinanceReceivablesDueInYearFour
2019	1,231cat_FinanceReceivablesDueInYearFive
Thereafter	1,111cat_FinanceReceivablesDueAfterYearFive
Total amounts due	23,943
Guaranteed Residual value	323
Unguaranteed Residual value	622
Less: Unearned Income	(822)
Total Finance Receivables	24,066	24,061	23,308
Retail Installment Contracts
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2015	2,308
2016	1,736
2017	1,184
2018	587
2019	174
Thereafter	10
Total amounts due	5,999
Guaranteed Residual value	0
Unguaranteed Residual value	0
Less: Unearned Income	(106)
Total Finance Receivables	5,893
Retail finance leases
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2015	2,956
2016	2,064
2017	1,159
2018	513
2019	209
Thereafter	131
Total amounts due	7,032
Guaranteed Residual value	323
Unguaranteed Residual value	622
Less: Unearned Income	(630)
Total Finance Receivables	7,347
Retail Notes
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2015	3,891
2016	2,238
2017	1,896
2018	1,069
2019	848
Thereafter	970
Total amounts due	10,912
Guaranteed Residual value	0
Unguaranteed Residual value	0
Less: Unearned Income	(86)
Total Finance Receivables	$ 10,826