Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	$ 1,472.7	$ 1,714.9	$ 2,605.3	$ 3,051.4
Cost of sales	882.4	849.7	1,572.2	1,511.1
Gross margin	590.3	865.2	1,033.1	1,540.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39.5	44.5	81.2	88.8
Other operating - net	21.6	(3.5)	15.8	11.1
Total other operating costs and expenses	61.1	41.0	97.0	99.9
Gain on sale of phosphate business			747.1
Equity in earnings of operating affiliates	2.1	9.5	17.9	21.1
Operating earnings (Loss)	531.3	833.7	1,701.1	1,461.5
Interest expense	50.7	32.3	90.7	71.4
Interest income	(0.3)	(1.0)	(0.5)	(3.1)
Other non-operating - net	0.7	(0.3)	0.6	54.4
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of non - operating affiliates	480.2	802.7	1,610.3	1,338.8
Income tax (benefit) provision	157.2	282.9	570.4	390.3
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-operating affiliates - net of taxes	1.7	(1.7)	5.2	(1.0)
Net earnings	324.7	518.1	1,045.1	947.5
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	12.1	19.9	24.0	42.8
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	312.6	498.2	1,021.1	904.7
Reportable legal entities | Parent
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.9	0.7	1.6	1.7
Total other operating costs and expenses	0.9	0.7	1.6	1.7
Operating earnings (Loss)	(0.9)	(0.7)	(1.6)	(1.7)
Net (earnings) of wholly-owned subsidiaries	(313.1)	(498.6)	(1,022.1)	(905.8)
Other non-operating - net	(0.1)		(0.1)
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of non - operating affiliates	312.3	497.9	1,020.6	904.1
Income tax (benefit) provision	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.5)	(0.6)
Net earnings	312.6	498.2	1,021.1	904.7
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	312.6	498.2	1,021.1	904.7
Reportable legal entities | CF Industries
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	95.7	269.8	467.7	604.7
Cost of sales	95.7	200.5	284.0	422.5
Gross margin		69.3	183.7	182.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.3	3.2	1.7	4.8
Other operating - net	0	3.2	(0.3)	9.3
Total other operating costs and expenses	0.3	6.4	1.4	14.1
Gain on sale of phosphate business			761.5
Operating earnings (Loss)	(0.3)	62.9	943.8	168.1
Interest expense	65.9	36.1	115.3	65.5
Interest income	(0.1)	(0.2)	(0.2)	(0.6)
Net (earnings) of wholly-owned subsidiaries	(356.6)	(481.3)	(507.9)	(839.6)
Other non-operating - net	0.1
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of non - operating affiliates	290.4	508.3	1,336.6	942.8
Income tax (benefit) provision	(22.7)	9.6	314.4	36.9
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-operating affiliates - net of taxes		(0.1)	(0.1)	(0.1)
Net earnings	313.1	498.6	1,022.1	905.8
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	313.1	498.6	1,022.1	905.8
Reportable legal entities | Other Subsidiaries
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	1,553.8	1,752.2	2,776.8	3,167.0
Cost of sales	963.5	955.1	1,927.4	1,804.9
Gross margin	590.3	797.1	849.4	1,362.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	38.3	40.6	77.9	82.3
Other operating - net	21.6	(6.7)	16.1	1.8
Total other operating costs and expenses	59.9	33.9	94.0	84.1
Gain on sale of phosphate business			(14.4)
Equity in earnings of operating affiliates	2.1	9.5	17.9	21.1
Operating earnings (Loss)	532.5	772.7	758.9	1,299.1
Interest expense	(15.1)	(3.5)	(24.4)	6.8
Interest income	(0.3)	(1.1)	(0.5)	(3.4)
Other non-operating - net	0.7	(0.3)	0.7	54.4
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of non - operating affiliates	547.2	777.6	783.1	1,241.3
Income tax (benefit) provision	180.2	273.6	256.5	354.0
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-operating affiliates - net of taxes	1.7	(1.6)	5.3	(0.9)
Net earnings	368.7	502.4	531.9	886.4
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	12.1	21.1	24.0	46.8
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	356.6	481.3	507.9	839.6
Eliminations
Condensed, Consolidating Statement of Operations
Net sales	(176.8)	(307.1)	(639.2)	(720.3)
Cost of sales	(176.8)	(305.9)	(639.2)	(716.3)
Gross margin		(1.2)		(4.0)
Operating earnings (Loss)		(1.2)	0	(4.0)
Interest expense	(0.1)	(0.3)	(0.2)	(0.9)
Interest income	0.1	0.3	0.2	0.9
Net (earnings) of wholly-owned subsidiaries	669.7	979.9	1,530.0	1,745.4
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of non - operating affiliates	(669.7)	(981.1)	(1,530.0)	(1,749.4)
Net earnings	(669.7)	(981.1)	(1,530.0)	(1,749.4)
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest		(1.2)		(4.0)
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	$ (669.7)	$ (979.9)	$ (1,530.0)	$ (1,745.4)