Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 25,358	$ 20,579	$ 71,259	$ 59,659
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		5,283	5,244	15,286	15,554
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		17,741	13,953	49,782	40,248
AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		2,085	1,169	5,474	3,224
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	249	213	717	633
Operating Segments
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		25,358	20,579	71,259	59,659
Operating Segments | AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 2,085	$ 1,169	$ 5,474	$ 3,224

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