Name:	cni_DefinedBenefitPlanInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	cni_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount, measured using unobservable inputs, of increase (decrease) in plan assets of defined benefit plan from actual return (loss) on assets still held.

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

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

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

Amount of asset segregated and restricted to provide benefit under defined benefit plan. Asset includes, but is not limited to, stock, bond, other investment, earning from investment, and contribution by employer and employee.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480482/715-20-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(ii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(01)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(ii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(01)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount, measured using unobservable input, of decrease in plan asset of defined benefit plan from sale.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)(B)
-SubTopic 20
-Topic 715
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsLevel3ReconciliationDecreaseForSale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount, measured using unobservable input, of decrease in plan asset of defined benefit plan from settlement of trade associated with underlying investment.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsLevel3ReconciliationDecreaseForSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount, measured using unobservable input, of increase in plan asset of defined benefit plan from purchase.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsLevel3ReconciliationIncreaseForPurchase
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=us-gaap_OilAndGasMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_PrivateDebtSpecialtyPortfolioStrategyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_PrivateEquityFundsSpecialtyPortfolioStrategyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_ResourceAndRoyaltiesInvestmentsSpecialtyPortfolioStrategyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_AbsoluteReturnMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_AbsoluteReturnSpecialtyPortfolioStrategyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_OperatingAssetsAtCostMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=cni_OperatingLiabilitiesAtCostMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: