Represents the amount of asset retirement obligation trust and escrow funds transferred under the terms of agreement.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Represents the cash consideration received during the period from the sale of assets held for sale.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

After tax 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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Phosphate Business Disposition (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Phosphate Business Disposition (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Phosphate business disposition
Gain on sale of phosphate business	$ 0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	$ 747,100,000us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness
Share of operating results	50.00%
Phosphate mining and manufacturing business
Phosphate business disposition
Amount of asset retirement obligation trust and escrow funds transferred	200,000,000
Phosphate mining and manufacturing business \| Mosaic \| Purchase Agreement
Phosphate business disposition
Cash consideration received as per definitive agreement			1,400,000,000
Gain on sale of phosphate business		747,100,000		750,100,000
After tax gain on sale of phosphate business		$ 461,000,000		$ 462,800,000