Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 43,744	$ 32,714	$ 117,413	$ 92,246
Online stores (1)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	26,392	21,590	72,971	61,883
Physical stores (2)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	1,276		1,276
Third-party seller services (3)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	7,928	5,652	21,357	15,537
Subscription services (4)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	2,441	1,532	6,544	4,264
AWS
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	4,584	3,231	12,346	8,683
Other (5)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,123	$ 709	$ 2,919	$ 1,879