Reconciliations of consolidated profit before taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ 1,999	$ 1,997
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	2,194	2,273
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Construction Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	1,057	1,042
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Resource Industries
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	361	312
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Energy & Transportation
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	538	675
Operating Segments | Reportable Segments | Financial Products Segment
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	238	244
Operating Segments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	3	3
Intersegment Eliminations | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	10	21
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(198)	(185)
Intersegment Eliminations | Timing
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(98)	(66)
Intersegment Eliminations | Restructuring Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(13)	(64)
Intersegment Eliminations | Inventory/cost of sales
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	168	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Postretirement Benefits Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	81	68
Intersegment Eliminations | Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(40)	(42)
Intersegment Eliminations | Financing Costs
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(100)	(130)
Intersegment Eliminations | Currency
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	106	186
Intersegment Eliminations | Other Income Expense Methodology Differences
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	(81)	(49)
Intersegment Eliminations | Other
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Reclassifications before tax	$ (33)	$ (18)