2.2.0.25truefalse4051 - Disclosure - Income taxes (Details 2)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 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$2true0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsTaxRateReconciliationAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse13130000001313000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse199000000199000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse15750000001575000000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of income tax expense (benefit) for the period computed by applying the domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 47
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 2
-Article 4
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.3500.350falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.3500.350falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.3500.350falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the Company's pretax income from continuing operations for the period. The "statutory" tax rate shall be the regular tax rate if there are alternative tax systems.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 47
falsefalse5true0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherReconcilingItemsPeriodIncreaseDecreasecatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferentialus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-339000000-339000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-261000000-261000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-124000000-124000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference, between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to total foreign income tax expense (benefit). The foreign income tax expense (benefit) difference represents the income tax expense (benefit) at applicable domestic statutory income tax rates applied to foreign earnings (loss) for the period versus the foreign income tax expense (benefit) calculated by applying the appropriate foreign tax rates.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 1
-Article 4
falsefalse7false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferentialus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse-0.090-0.090falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.460-0.460falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.028-0.028falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by the difference between statutory income tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the domestic federal statutory income tax rate recorded during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2700000027000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-19000000-19000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4600000046000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference, between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to state and local income tax expense (benefit).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 1
-Article 4
falsefalse9false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0070.007falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.033-0.033falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0100.010falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by the state and local income tax expense (benefit), net of the federal tax benefit (expense) thereon, recorded during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTaxcatfalsedebitdurationThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1600000016000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2000000020000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1100000011000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to the interest and penalties, net of tax.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0cat_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTaxcatfalsenadurationThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0040.004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0350.035falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0020.002falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to the interest and penalties, net of tax.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCreditsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-57000000-57000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-47000000-47000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-40000000-40000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the differences between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to tax credits.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCreditsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse-0.015-0.015falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.082-0.082falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.008-0.008falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe sum of the differences between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by all tax credits generated or utilized under enacted tax laws during the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustmentsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-22000000-22000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-29000000-29000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-59000000-59000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference, between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement for the year/accounting period and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustmentsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse-0.006-0.006falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.051-0.051falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.013-0.013falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationTotalOfStatutoryAmountPlusIncreasesAndDecreasescatfalsedebitdurationThis element represents the total of taxes at the statutory rate plus increases and decreases as part of the statutory rate...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse938000000938000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-137000000-137000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse14090000001409000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the total of taxes at the statutory rate plus increases and decreases as part of the statutory rate reconciliation.No authoritative reference available.truefalse17false0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationTotalOfStatutoryRatePlusIncreasesAndDecreasescatfalsenadurationThis element represents the total of the statutory rate plus increases and decreases in the rate, as part of the statutory...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truetruefalse0.2500.250falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.241-0.241falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.3130.313falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThis element represents the total of the statutory rate plus increases and decreases in the rate, as part of the statutory rate reconciliation.No authoritative reference available.truefalse18false0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInTaxLawRelatedToHealthcareLegislationcatfalsedebitdurationThis element represents deferred tax charge included in the provision for income taxes in the period, expressed as a portion...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse9000000090000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents deferred tax charge included in the provision for income taxes in the period, expressed as a portion of the effective rate, due to the enactment of U.S. Healthcare legislation effectively making government subsidies received for prescription drug coverage taxable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19false0cat_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInTaxLawRelatedToHealthcareLegislationcatfalsenadurationThis element represents deferred tax charge included in the provision for income taxes in the period due to the enactment of...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0240.024falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThis element represents deferred tax charge included in the provision for income taxes in the period due to the enactment of U.S. Healthcare legislation effectively making government subsidies received for prescription drug coverage taxable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-34000000-34000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-133000000-133000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement for the current period and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed attributable to revisions of previously reported income tax expense.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse-0.009-0.009falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.234-0.234falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to revisions in previously reported amounts of income tax provision.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-26000000-26000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 26
falsefalse23false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse-0.007-0.007falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse24false0cat_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignEarningsReinvestmentChangesAndTaxCreditInExcessOfDomesticTaxLiabilitycatfalsecreditdurationThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-456000000-456000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to non-U.S. earnings reinvestment changes.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25false0cat_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignEarningsReinvestmentChangescatfalsenadurationThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse-0.101-0.101falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to non-U.S. earnings reinvestment changes.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse26false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse968000000968000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-270000000-270000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse953000000953000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph a, b
truefalse27false0us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truetruefalse0.2580.258falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse-0.475-0.475falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.2120.212falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureA ratio calculated by dividing the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the period by GAAP-basis pretax income from continuing operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 47
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Subparagraph 2
-Article 4
falsefalse28true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse29false0cat_TaxBenefitRepatriationOfEarningscatfalsecreditdurationTax benefit on the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings due to available foreign tax credits in excess of the U.S. tax liability...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse409000000409000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax benefit on the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings due to available foreign tax credits in excess of the U.S. tax liability on the dividend.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse30false0cat_IncomeTaxBenefitChangeInTaxStatusOfForeignSubsidiarycatfalsecreditdurationThe tax benefit attributable to change in tax status of foreign subsidiary.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4700000047000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe tax benefit attributable to change in tax status of foreign subsidiary.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse31false0cat_UndistributedForeignProfitscatfalsecreditdurationThe amount as of the balance sheet date of undistributed foreign earnings on which the entity has not provided deferred taxes...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1100000000011000000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount as of the balance sheet date of undistributed foreign earnings on which the entity has not provided deferred taxes as these amounts are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse32false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureincometaxesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxis} : True-up of Estimate Benefits
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_TrueUpOfEstimateBenefitsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseTrue-up of Estimate Benefitscat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_TrueUpOfEstimateBenefitsMembercat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse36false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsDomesticus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4600000046000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to domestic income tax settlements for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse37false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureincometaxesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxis} : Remeasure Previous Unrecognized Tax Benefits Related to Foreign Sales Corporation Commissions
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_RemeasurePreviousUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsRelatedToForeignSalesCorporationCommissionsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRemeasure Previous Unrecognized Tax Benefits Related to Foreign Sales Corporation Commissionscat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_RemeasurePreviousUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsRelatedToForeignSalesCorporationCommissionsMembercat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse40true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse41false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsDomesticus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to domestic income tax settlements for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse42false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureincometaxesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxis} : Adjust Related Estimated Interest, Net of Tax
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_AdjustRelatedEstimatedInterestNetOfTaxMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAdjust Related Estimated Interest, Net of Taxcat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AdjustRelatedEstimatedInterestNetOfTaxMembercat_IncomeTaxSettlementByImpactAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse45true0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse46false0us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlementsDomesticus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2500000025000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the difference between total income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to domestic income tax settlements for the period.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse339Income taxes (Details 2) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
