Segment Information Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 32,714	$ 25,358	$ 92,246	$ 71,259
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		5,728	5,283	16,626	15,286
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		23,383	17,741	65,890	49,782
AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales		3,231	2,085	8,683	5,474
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	$ 372	$ 249	$ 1,047	$ 717

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