Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Total FCX Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Common Stock Held in Treasury [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 22,474	$ 18,287	$ 117	$ 22,281	$ 128	$ (544)	$ (3,695)	$ 4,187
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			1,167				128
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercised and issued stock-based awards	3	3	$ 0	3	0	0	$ 0	0
Exercised and issued stock-based awards (in shares)			1				0
Stock-based compensation	57	50	$ 0	50	0	0	$ 0	7
Reserve of tax benefit for stock-based awards	(2)	(2)	0	(2)	0	0	0	0
Tender of shares for stock-based awards	(7)	(7)	$ 0	0	0	0	$ (7)	0
Tender of shares for stock-based awards (in shares)			0				0
Dividends on common stock	(220)	(220)	$ 0	0	(220)	0	$ 0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(46)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(46)
Noncontrolling interests' share of contributed capital in subsidiary	0	(2)	0	(2)	0	0	0	2
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(4,325)	(4,325)	0	0	(4,325)	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	100	0	0	0	0	0	0	100
Other comprehensive income	21	21	0	0	0	21	0	0
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 18,055	$ 13,805	$ 117	$ 22,330	$ (4,417)	$ (523)	$ (3,702)	$ 4,250
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2015			1,168				128