Name:	cf_CapitalExpansionSavingsNoncurrent
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Represents the aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements and for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	cf_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansAndDeferredCompensationLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 24

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859

Name:	us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the unpaid sum of the known and estimated amounts payable to satisfy all domestic and foreign income tax obligations due beyond one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer. Alternate captions include income taxes payable, noncurrent.

Name:	us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Obligations not otherwise itemized or categorized in the footnotes to the financial statements that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer), from the balance sheet date.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 24

-Article 5