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

For the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation, the carrying amount of fixed assets as of the balance sheet date

No definition available.

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

For the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation, carrying amount of goodwill (adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to adoption of FAS 142 and impairment charges).

No definition available.

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

The amount of incremental incentive compensation expense arising from the sale of the disposal group that is not a discontinued operation.

No definition available.

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

After tax income (loss) from operations of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation during the reporting period.

No definition available.

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

Amount of impact to other operating (income) expense as a result of an adjustment to increase (decrease) in parts returns reserve related to prior disposal group(s) that is not a discontinued operation during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationIncreaseDecreaseinPartsReturnsReserve
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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 the sale of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation.

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 percentage of interest in subsidiary sold by the reporting entity during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	cat_PercentageOfInterestSoldInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of transactions classified as held for sale as of the end of the period.

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 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 2: 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

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

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6903542&loc=d3e32014-111567