2.2.0.25truefalse4021 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)truefalseIn Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2007
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
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granted under stock appreciation rights only during the reporting period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9true0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse10false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValuecatfalsenadurationThe weighted average grant-date fair value of options and stock appreciation rights granted during the reporting period 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reporting...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse119000000119falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse213000000213falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1800000018falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total fair value of options and stock appreciation rights for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0cat_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightscatfalsedebitdurationAggregate proceeds received by the entity during the annual period from exercises of stock options and stock 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available.falsefalse15false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValuecatfalsenadurationThe weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on restricted stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse53.3553.35falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20.2220.22falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse69.1769.17falsetruefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on restricted stock units.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue16false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsVestedInPeriodFairValuecatfalsedebitdurationFair value of equity-based 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expiration for restricted stock units exercisable under the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1.21.2falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for restricted stock units exercisable under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse226000000226falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse132000000132falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse194000000194falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the expense recognized during the period arising from share-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64
-Subparagraph b
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14
-Section F
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph g(1)
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($) / shares
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{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse33false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingNumberOfSharescatfalsenainstantThe number of shares reserved for issuance under stock options and stock appreciation rights that are outstanding as of the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse87168318716831falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe number of shares reserved for issuance under stock options and stock appreciation rights that are outstanding as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse34false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6.496.49falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock appreciation rights outstanding, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference 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the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse616000000616falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining to options outstanding under stock options and stock appreciation rights as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse41false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 22.17 To 25.36
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableMember_ExercisePriceRangeOneMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 22.17 To 25.36us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeOneMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse44false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableNumbercatfalsenainstantThe number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable as of the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse31898443189844falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable as of the balance-sheet date can be currently converted under stock options and stock appreciation plan.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse45false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3.583.58falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights exercisable under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse46false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricecatfalsenainstantThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse24.3224.32falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options and SARs outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option and stock appreciation rights plan.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue47false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableIntrinsicValuecatfalsedebitdurationThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse221000000221falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options and currently exercisable under the options and stock appreciation rights as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse51false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 26.03 To 29.43
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($) / shares
$D2010_ExercisePriceRangeTwoMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 26.03 To 29.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeTwoMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse52true0cat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse53false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceLowEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse26.0326.03falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, low end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue54false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceHighEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse29.4329.43falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, high end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue59false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 26.03 To 29.43
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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authoritative reference available.falsefalse62false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2.232.23falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock appreciation rights outstanding, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference 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{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableMember_ExercisePriceRangeTwoMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 26.03 To 29.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeTwoMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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currently converted under stock options and stock appreciation plan.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse73false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2.232.23falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights exercisable under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse74false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricecatfalsenainstantThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse27.1127.11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options and SARs outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option and stock appreciation rights plan.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue75false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableIntrinsicValuecatfalsedebitdurationThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse373000000373falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options and currently exercisable under the options and stock appreciation rights as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse79false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($) / shares
$D2010_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse80true0cat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse81false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceLowEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse38.6338.63falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, low end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue82false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceHighEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40.6440.64falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, high end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue87false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingMember_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights outstandingcat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingMembercat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse88true0cat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition 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authoritative reference available.falsefalse90false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3.443.44falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance sheet date and expiration for all vested portions of options and stock appreciation rights outstanding, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse91false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePricecatfalsenainstantThe weighted average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse38.6538.65falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option and stock appreciation rights plan.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue92false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingIntrinsicValuecatfalsedebitinstantThe total dollar difference between fair values of 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available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableMember_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 38.63 To 40.64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeThreeMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse100false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableNumbercatfalsenainstantThe number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable as of the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse93559789355978falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable as of the balance-sheet date can be currently converted under stock options and stock appreciation plan.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse101false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3.443.44falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights exercisable under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse102false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePricecatfalsenainstantThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse38.6538.65falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options and SARs outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option and stock appreciation rights plan.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue103false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableIntrinsicValuecatfalsedebitdurationThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse514000000514falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options and currently exercisable under the options and stock appreciation rights as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse107false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 44.90 To 57.85
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($) / shares
$D2010_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 44.90 To 57.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse108true0cat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse109false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceLowEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse44.9044.90falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, low end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue110false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceHighEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse57.8557.85falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, high end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue115false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 44.90 To 57.85
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingMember_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 44.90 To 57.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableMember_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 44.90 To 57.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeFourMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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currently converted under stock options and stock appreciation plan.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse129false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermcatfalsenadurationThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4.424.42falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe weighted average period between the balance-sheet date and expiration for stock option and stock appreciation rights exercisable under the plan, which may be expressed in a decimal value for number of years.No authoritative reference 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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($) / shares
$D2010_ExercisePriceRangeFiveMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 63.04 To 73.20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeFiveMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse136true0cat_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsOutstandingAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse137false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceLowEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse63.0463.04falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, low end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue138false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceHighEndOfRangecatfalsenadurationThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse73.2073.20falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe exercise price for purposes of disclosing shares potentially issuable under outstanding stock option awards on all stock option plans and other required information pertaining to awards, high end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsetrue143false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurestockbasedcompensationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis} : Exercise Price Range 63.04 To 73.20
{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights outstanding
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{cat_StockOptionsAndSharesAppreciationRightsOutstandingAndExertcisableTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock options and stock appreciation rights exercisable
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_StockOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableMember_ExercisePriceRangeFiveMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseExercise Price Range 63.04 To 73.20us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ExercisePriceRangeFiveMemberus-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseStock options and stock appreciation rights 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available.falsetrue159false0cat_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAndStockAppreciationRightsExercisableIntrinsicValuecatfalsedebitdurationThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse344000000344falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of options and currently exercisable under the options and stock appreciation rights as of the balance-sheet date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse163false0natruenanaNo definition 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12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
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