Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	$ 243.9	$ 458.1	$ 1,191.4	$ 1,568.1
Other comprehensive income	42.7	38.2	(23.7)	62.4
Comprehensive income	286.6	496.3	1,167.7	1,630.5
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	9.8	55.7	51.9	191.1
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	276.8	440.6	1,115.8	1,439.4
Reportable legal entities | Parent
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	234.1	403.3	1,138.8	1,378.0
Other comprehensive income	42.7	37.3	(23.0)	61.3
Comprehensive income	276.8	440.6	1,115.8	1,439.3
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	276.8	440.6	1,115.8	1,439.3
Reportable legal entities | CF Industries
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	234.5	403.5	1,140.3	1,379.3
Other comprehensive income	42.7	37.3	(23.0)	61.3
Comprehensive income	277.2	440.8	1,117.3	1,440.6
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	277.2	440.8	1,117.3	1,440.6
Reportable legal entities | Other Subsidiaries
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	264.4	332.7	1,150.8	1,075.9
Other comprehensive income	42.7	27.6	(69.7)	48.4
Comprehensive income	307.1	360.3	1,081.1	1,124.3
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	9.8	141.6	56.6	471.8
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	297.3	218.7	1,024.5	652.5
Eliminations
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings	(489.1)	(681.4)	(2,238.5)	(2,265.1)
Other comprehensive income	(85.4)	(64.0)	92.0	(108.6)
Comprehensive income	(574.5)	(745.4)	(2,146.5)	(2,373.7)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(85.9)	(4.7)	(280.7)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (574.5)	$ (659.5)	$ (2,141.8)	$ (2,093.0)