Represents the minimum percentage of purchases actually made since 1995.

No definition available.

Name:	cf_ActualPercentageOfPurchasesUnderProductPurchaseAgreementMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the minimum percentage of deficiency to be paid as advance under the product purchase agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_AdvancesToBeMadeAsPercentageOfDeficiencyUnderProductPurchaseAgreementMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the average trading days for which purchase price is greater.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_AverageTradingDaysForWhichPurchasePriceIsGreater
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the minimum percentage of purchases required which may result in increase in advance towards deficiency.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_MinimumPercentageOfPurchasesRequiredWhichMayResultInIncreaseInAdvanceTowardsDeficiency
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the notice period for making decision to purchase the outstanding units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_NoticePeriodForDecisionToPurchaseOutstandingUnits
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the notice period required to be provided for termination of management or product purchase agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_NoticePeriodForTerminationOfAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of ammonia plants held by the entity during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_NumberOfAmmoniaPlants
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of days before announcing purchase price.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_NumberOfDaysBeforeAnnouncingPurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of interest in distributed and undistributed earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfInterestInDistributedAndUndistributedEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of minimum economic risks and rewards received.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfMinimumRisksAndRewardsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage below which the majority owner, may elect to acquire all outstanding units held by non-affiliated persons.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfOwnershipAllowingMajorityOwnerToAcquireOutstandingUnits
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of actual purchases made pursuant to the product purchase agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfProductsPurchasedUnderProductPurchaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of product that the reporting entity is contingently required to purchase pursuant to the product purchase agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfProductsUnderProductPurchaseAgreementContingentPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percent of remaining ammonia and urea production the company has the right, but not obligation to purchase.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PercentageOfUnconditionalPurchaseObligation
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period within which highest price is paid for any unit preceding the date of purchase is announced.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_PeriodWithinWhichHighestPricePaidForAnyUnitPrecedingDateOfPurchaseAnnounced
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the variable interest entity's net sales.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) interest owned by an entity other than the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cf_VariableInterestEntityThirdPartyOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net Income or Loss for the period allocated to noncontrolling partners of a limited partnership included in the entity's consolidated financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6431455&loc=d3e89994-111694

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 04-5

-Paragraph 5, 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossLimitedPartnerships
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 plant	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
TNCLP
Noncontrolling interest
Percentage of aggregate ownership held by entity through general and limited partnership	75.30%
Percentage of ownership interest held by outside investors	24.70%
Earnings attributable to general partnership interest in excess of the threshold levels	$ 51.8	$ 51.9
Average trading days for which purchase price is greater	20
Number of days before announcing purchase price	5
Period within which highest price is paid for any unit preceding the date of purchase is announced (in days)	90
TNCLP \| Minimum
Noncontrolling interest
Notice period for making decision to purchase the outstanding units (in days)	30
TNCLP \| Maximum
Noncontrolling interest
Percentage of ownership allowing majority owner to acquire outstanding units	25.00%
Notice period for making decision to purchase the outstanding units (in days)	60
CFL
Noncontrolling interest
Number of world-scale ammonia plants	2
Net sales	180.4	155.0
Assets	670.3		528.5
Liabilities	$ 620.2		$ 479.5
CFL \| CFI
Noncontrolling interest
Percentage of ammonia and urea production purchased	66.00%
Percentage of the facility's ammonia and urea production that the reporting entity is contingently required to purchase pursuant to a product purchase agreement	34.00%
Notice period for termination of management agreement or product purchase agreement (in months)	12
Minimum percentage of deficiency to be paid as advance under the product purchase agreement	66.00%
Minimum percentage of purchases required which may result in increase in advance towards deficiency	66.00%
Percentage of minimum economic risks and rewards received	66.00%
CFL \| CFI \| Common Stock
Noncontrolling interest
Reporting entity's ownership interest in VIE (as a percent)	49.00%
CFL \| CFI \| Nonvoting preferred shares
Noncontrolling interest
Reporting entity's ownership interest in VIE (as a percent)	66.00%
CFL \| Viterra Inc
Noncontrolling interest
Percentage of ammonia and urea production for which there is a right to purchase	34.00%
Actual percentage purchased of the facility's ammonia and urea production each year, minimum	34.00%
Percentage of interest in distributed and undistributed earnings	34.00%
CFL \| Viterra Inc \| Common Stock
Noncontrolling interest
Third Party's ownership interest in VIE (as a percent)	34.00%
CFL \| Viterra Inc \| Nonvoting preferred shares
Noncontrolling interest
Third Party's ownership interest in VIE (as a percent)	34.00%
CFL \| Growmark and La Coop Federee \| Common Stock
Noncontrolling interest
Third Party's ownership interest in VIE (as a percent)	17.00%