Operating Segments and Geographic Data - Earnings by Major Operating Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	$ 1,377	$ 3,599
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	2,355	4,023
Operating Segments | Upstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	2,350	2,920
Operating Segments | Upstream | United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	941	241
Operating Segments | Upstream | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	1,409	2,679
Operating Segments | Downstream
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	5	1,103
Operating Segments | Downstream | United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	(130)	450
Operating Segments | Downstream | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Chevron Corporation	135	653
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(184)	(154)
Interest income	8	23
Other	$ (802)	$ (293)