Operating Segments and Geographic Data - Segment Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	$ 2,924	$ 14,824	$ 9,195
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	5,057	17,114	13,364
Operating Segments | Upstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	2,576	13,316	8,150
Operating Segments | Downstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	2,481	3,798	5,214
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(761)	(713)	(264)
Interest income	181	137	60
Other	(1,553)	(1,714)	(3,965)
United States | Operating Segments | Upstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	(5,094)	3,278	3,640
United States | Operating Segments | Downstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	1,559	2,103	2,938
International | Operating Segments | Upstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	7,670	10,038	4,510
International | Operating Segments | Downstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	$ 922	$ 1,695	$ 2,276