Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (LivingSocial, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
LivingSocial
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment, ownership percentage	31.00%
Equity investment, book value	$ 100

Equity And Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	amzn_EquityAndCostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	amzn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant