Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 23,185	$ 19,340	$ 45,901	$ 39,081
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		4,714	4,844	10,002	10,311
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		16,412	13,278	32,041	26,296
AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		1,824	1,005	3,389	2,055
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	235	213	469	419
Operating Segments
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		23,185	19,340	45,901	39,081
Operating Segments | AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 1,824	$ 1,005	$ 3,389	$ 2,055

[1] Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as certain advertising services and our co-branded credit card agreements.