Name:	cat_EmployerMatchingContributionToDefinedContributionPlansSharesOfStock
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the value of the entity's treasury stock given as a contribution to the defined contribution plans.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_EmployerMatchingContributionToDefinedContributionPlansValueOfStock
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents high end of range of the percentage of compensation contributed by employer to defined contribution plan as an annual employer non-elective contribution.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfCompensationContributedAnnuallyByEmployerHighEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents low end of range of the percentage of compensation contributed by employer to defined contribution plan as an annual employer non-elective contribution.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfCompensationContributedAnnuallyByEmployerLowEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the percentage of compensation contributed by the U.S. employees to defined contribution plans that are generally eligible for employer matching contributions.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfCompensationContributedToDefinedContributionPlansByEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the percentage of compensation contributed by the U.S. employees accruing benefits under defined benefit pension plan to defined contribution plans that are generally eligible for employer matching contributions for employees.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfCompensationContributedToDefinedContributionPlansByEmployeesAccruingBenefitUnderDefinedBenefitPensionPlan
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the percentage that the employer generally matches on employee contributions to U.S. defined contribution plans.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfEmployeesContributionContributedByEmployer
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the percentage that the employer generally matches of employee contributions to U.S. defined contribution plans for employees accruing benefits under a defined benefit pension plan.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfEmployeesContributionContributedByEmployerAccruingBenefitUnderDefinedBenefitPensionPlan
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942