Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

After tax income (loss) from operations of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation (exclusive of any gain (loss) on disposal, or provision therefore) during the reporting period, until its disposal.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDisposalGroupDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

For the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation, carrying value (net of any accumulated amortization and write-downs) of nonphysical assets (such as copyrights, customer lists, patents, trade names, core deposits, trade secrets, and contractual rights), not elsewhere itemized.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation, the carrying amount of inventories (net of all valuation allowances and write-downs).

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationInventory
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Tax expense or benefit on the gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the sale of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation, which is recognized at the date of sale. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on disposal, if any) of the disposal group.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents net sales amount related to divestitures of business.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSaleAmountOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Number of sales transactions completed in the period.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_NumberOfSalesTransactionsCompleted
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of transactions classified as held for sale.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_TransactionClassifiedAsHeldForSaleNumber
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The gain (loss) resulting from the sale of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation. It is included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 37, 45

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2443-110228