Reconciliations of consolidated profit before taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ 2,558	$ 1,775	$ 6,653	$ 5,642
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	2,870	2,025	7,284	6,657
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Construction Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	1,209	866	3,255	2,937
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Resource Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	506	280	1,222	941
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Energy & Transportation
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	935	706	2,132	2,119
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Financial Products Segment
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	220	173	675	660
Operating Segments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	8	5	42	(2)
Intersegment Eliminations | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(37)	19	1	51
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(168)	(189)	(670)	(576)
Intersegment Eliminations | Timing
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(84)	(40)	(129)	(230)
Intersegment Eliminations | Restructuring Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(49)	(35)	(90)	(124)
Intersegment Eliminations | Inventory/cost of sales
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	138	73	407	80
Intersegment Eliminations | Postretirement Benefits Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	82	116	293	270
Intersegment Eliminations | Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(55)	(58)	(162)	(169)
Intersegment Eliminations | Financing Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(75)	(103)	(269)	(342)
Intersegment Eliminations | Currency
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	53	19	315	255
Intersegment Eliminations | Other Income Expense Methodology Differences
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(109)	(80)	(287)	(201)
Intersegment Eliminations | Other
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ (16)	$ 23	$ (82)	$ (27)