Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 02, 2020
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32597
Entity Registrant Name	CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-2697511
Entity Address, Address Line One	4 Parkway North, Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Deerfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60015
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	405-2400
Title of 12(b) Security	common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		213,916,195
Entity Central Index Key	0001324404
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3