Finance Receivables -Aging related to finance receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	$ 33,099	$ 29,231
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	5,500	4,283
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	5,475	4,251
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	13	19
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	7	7
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	5	6
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | North America
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	3,263	2,607
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | North America | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	3,242	2,584
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | North America | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	9	14
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | North America | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	7	5
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | North America | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	5	4
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | EAME
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	1,190	744
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | EAME | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	1,189	740
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | EAME | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	1	3
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | EAME | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	1
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | EAME | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Asia/Pacific
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	647	529
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Asia/Pacific | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	646	528
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Asia/Pacific | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	1	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Asia/Pacific | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Asia/Pacific | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	1
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	387	383
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Latin America | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	387	383
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Latin America | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Latin America | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Latin America | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	0
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Power
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	13	20
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Power | Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	11	16
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Power | 31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	2	2
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Power | 61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	0	1
Caterpillar Purchased Receivables | Power | 91+ Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due
Finance Receivables	$ 0	$ 1