Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Jun. 30, 2015	[1]	Mar. 31, 2015	[1]	Dec. 31, 2014	[1]	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Jun. 30, 2014	[1]	Mar. 31, 2014	[1]	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 35,747		$ 25,358		$ 23,185		$ 22,717		$ 29,328		$ 20,579		$ 19,340		$ 19,741		$ 107,006	$ 88,988	$ 74,452
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																		22,509	22,505	21,716
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																		75,597	60,886	48,802
Amazon Web Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																		7,880	4,644	3,108
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[2]																	$ 1,020	$ 953	$ 826

[1] The sum of quarterly amounts, including per share amounts, may not equal amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to the effects of rounding and changes in the number of weighted-average shares outstanding for each period.

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