XML 36 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management (Details 3) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Machinery, Energy & Transportation    
Derivative notional amounts    
Derivative instruments notional amount $ 2,379invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
$ 3,128invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
Financial Products    
Derivative notional amounts    
Derivative instruments notional amount $ 4,748invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember
$ 5,249invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= cat_FinancialProductsMember