Cat Financial Financing Activities - Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
Total	$ 23,029	$ 22,449
Finance Receivables
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2025	9,797
2026	6,100
2027	4,065
2028	2,241
2029	827
Thereafter	208
Total	23,238
Guaranteed residual value	390
Unguaranteed residual value	553
Less: Unearned income	(1,152)
Total	23,029
Finance Receivables \| Retail Loans
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2025	7,422
2026	4,449
2027	3,084
2028	1,724
2029	607
Thereafter	144
Total	17,430
Guaranteed residual value	6
Unguaranteed residual value	2
Less: Unearned income	(505)
Total	16,933
Finance Receivables \| Retail Leases
Contractual maturities of outstanding finance receivables
2025	2,375
2026	1,651
2027	981
2028	517
2029	220
Thereafter	64
Total	5,808
Guaranteed residual value	384
Unguaranteed residual value	551
Less: Unearned income	(647)
Total	$ 6,096

No definition available.

Name:	cat_ContractualMaturitiesOfOutstandingFinanceReceivablesAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

This element represents the aggregate amount of finance receivables due as of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cat_FinanceReceivablesAggregateAmountsReceivable
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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cat_FinanceReceivablesDueInYearFour
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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of finance receivables due after year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cat_
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the guaranteed residual value of finance receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the unguaranteed residual value of finance receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unamortized loan commitment, origination, and other costs (fees) and purchase premium (discount) on financing receivable recognized as adjustment to yield. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement.

+ References

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- Definition

Amortized cost, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement and net investment in lease.

+ References

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