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

Represents the number of nitrogen manufacturing facilities producing ammonia.

No definition available.

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

Represents the percentage of deionized water in aqueous urea solution

No definition available.

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

Represents the percentage of urea purity in aqueous urea solution

No definition available.

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

Represents the percentage of nitrogen in anhydrous ammonia

No definition available.

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

Represents the sale of urea liquor

No definition available.

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

- Details

Name:	cf_SegmentReportingGrossMarginReconcilingItemAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the share of profit to be received from joint venture arrangement which is included in earnings.

No definition available.

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

Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

Gain (loss) from sale or disposal of an organization or integrated set of activities (for example, but not limited to, a partnership or corporation) engaged in providing a product or service in a commercial, industrial, or professional environment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense.

No definition available.

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

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5