$CAT
CATERPILLAR INC Stock $cat

$cat Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000001823021000063 Filed on February 17, 2021

Income Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2020 Q3	2020 Q2
Revenue	$11.24B	$9.881B	$9.997B
YoY Change	-14.52%	-22.55%	-30.73%
Cost Of Revenue	$7.784B	$6.919B	$7.113B
YoY Change	-14.62%	-19.26%	-28.45%
Gross Profit	$2.786B	$2.309B	$2.197B
YoY Change	-14.78%	-32.19%	-41.1%
Gross Profit Margin	24.8%	23.37%	21.98%
Selling, General & Admin	$1.216B	$1.126B	$1.179B
YoY Change	-5.22%	-9.99%	-9.93%
% of Gross Profit	43.65%	48.77%	53.66%
Research & Development	$374.0M	$344.0M	$341.0M
YoY Change	-3.11%	-20.19%	-22.68%
% of Gross Profit	13.42%	14.9%	15.52%
Depreciation & Amortization	$617.0M	$593.0M	$608.0M
YoY Change	-4.19%	-8.06%	-6.03%
% of Gross Profit	22.15%	25.68%	27.67%
Operating Expenses	$1.892B	$1.470B	$1.520B
YoY Change	-1.56%	-86.31%	-87.56%
Operating Profit	$894.0M	$985.0M	$784.0M
YoY Change	-33.63%	-51.24%	-64.57%
Interest Expense	-$386.0M	-$286.0M	-$224.0M
YoY Change	39.86%	20.68%	-21.13%
% of Operating Profit	-43.18%	-29.04%	-28.57%
Other Income/Expense, Net	-$181.0M	$14.00M	$29.00M
YoY Change	-53.83%	-84.09%	-57.35%
Pretax Income	$941.0M	$863.0M	$678.0M
YoY Change	-31.06%	-56.96%	-68.87%
Income Tax	$247.0M	$187.0M	$227.0M
% Of Pretax Income	26.25%	21.67%	33.48%
Net Earnings	$780.0M	$671.0M	$459.0M
YoY Change	-28.96%	-55.09%	-71.65%
Net Earnings / Revenue	6.94%	6.79%	4.59%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.43	$1.23	$0.84
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.42	$1.22	$0.84
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	545.3M shares	542.3M shares	541.5M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding		546.4M shares	544.5M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2020 Q4	2020 Q3	2020 Q2
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$9.352B	$9.315B	$8.784B
YoY Change	12.89%	17.82%	18.24%
Cash & Equivalents	$9.352B	$9.319B	$8.791B
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets	$1.930B	$1.831B	$1.792B
YoY Change	5.87%	6.76%	-6.23%
Inventory	$11.40B	$11.45B	$11.37B
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$7.317B	$6.969B	$7.134B
Other Receivables	$9.463B	$8.966B	$8.781B
Total Short-Term Assets	$39.46B	$38.53B	$37.86B
YoY Change	0.69%	-1.6%	-4.84%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$12.40B	$12.23B	$12.36B
YoY Change	-3.9%	-4.75%	-6.19%
Goodwill	$6.394B	$6.304B	$6.192B
YoY Change	3.2%	2.64%	-0.31%
Intangibles	$1.308B	$1.363B	$1.420B
YoY Change	-16.42%	-16.38%	-18.06%
Long-Term Investments
YoY Change
Other Assets	$3.827B	$3.510B	$3.549B
YoY Change	14.58%	8.27%	11.11%
Total Long-Term Assets	$38.86B	$38.21B	$38.70B
YoY Change	-1.02%	-1.61%	-1.76%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$39.46B	$38.53B	$37.86B
Total Long-Term Assets	$38.86B	$38.21B	$38.70B
Total Assets	$78.32B	$76.74B	$76.57B
YoY Change	-0.16%	-1.61%	-3.31%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$6.128B	$5.193B	$5.083B
YoY Change	2.87%	-15.44%	-27.61%
Accrued Expenses	$3.642B	$3.510B	$3.547B
YoY Change	-2.88%	-5.82%	-6.39%
Deferred Revenue	$1.108B	$1.209B	$1.227B
YoY Change	-6.66%
Short-Term Debt	$2.015B	$2.660B	$4.314B
YoY Change	-60.99%	-37.68%	-18.08%
Long-Term Debt Due	$9.149B	$9.359B	$7.401B
YoY Change	47.33%	16.26%	18.45%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$25.72B	$24.98B	$25.23B
YoY Change	-3.4%	-8.17%	-9.03%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$26.00B	$26.11B	$26.91B
YoY Change	-1.07%	2.03%	8.65%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$4.358B	$4.408B	$4.366B
YoY Change	0.81%	2.25%	0.09%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$30.36B	$4.408B	$4.366B
YoY Change	-0.81%	2.25%	0.09%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$25.72B	$24.98B	$25.23B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$30.36B	$4.408B	$4.366B
Total Liabilities	$62.95B	$61.75B	$62.79B
YoY Change	-1.38%	-1.99%	-2.36%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$35.17B	$35.51B	$34.84B
YoY Change	2.12%	2.99%	5.64%
Common Stock
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)	$25.18B	$25.32B	$25.41B
YoY Change	3.97%	6.85%	13.11%
Treasury Stock Shares	269.6M shares	271.6M shares	273.4M shares
Shareholders Equity	$15.33B	$14.95B	$13.73B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$78.32B	$76.74B	$76.57B
YoY Change	-0.16%	-1.61%	-3.31%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2020 Q4	2020 Q3	2020 Q2
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$780.0M	$671.0M	$459.0M
YoY Change	-28.96%	-55.09%	-71.65%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$617.0M	$593.0M	$608.0M
YoY Change	-4.19%	-8.06%	-6.03%
Cash From Operating Activities	$2.072B	$1.734B	$1.391B
YoY Change	-14.87%	125.49%	-46.25%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$624.0M	-$493.0M	-$450.0M
YoY Change	-23.25%	-21.87%	-33.63%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	$98.00M	$277.0M	-$80.00M
YoY Change	-59.0%	-22.19%	-63.64%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$526.0M	-$216.0M	-$530.0M
YoY Change	-8.36%	-21.45%	-40.98%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-1.542B	-1.000B	786.0M
YoY Change	2.32%	-5100.0%	-157.12%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	2.072B	1.734B	1.391B
Cash From Investing Activities	-526.0M	-216.0M	-530.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-1.542B	-1.000B	786.0M
Net Change In Cash	4.000M	518.0M	1.647B
YoY Change	-98.87%	0.78%	424.52%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$2.072B	$1.734B	$1.391B
Capital Expenditures	-$624.0M	-$493.0M	-$450.0M
Free Cash Flow	$2.696B	$2.227B	$1.841B
YoY Change	-16.97%	59.07%	-43.63%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2020	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000018230
CY2020	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2020
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2020	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2020	dei	Document Annual Report DocumentAnnualReport	true
CY2020	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2020-12-31
CY2020	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2020	dei	Document Transition Report DocumentTransitionReport	false
CY2020	dei	Entity File Number EntityFileNumber	1-768
CY2020	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	CATERPILLAR INC
CY2020	dei	Entity Incorporation State Country Code EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode	DE
CY2020	dei	Entity Tax Identification Number EntityTaxIdentificationNumber	37-0602744
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Address Line1 EntityAddressAddressLine1	510 Lake Cook Road,
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Address Line2 EntityAddressAddressLine2	Suite 100,
CY2020	dei	Entity Address City Or Town EntityAddressCityOrTown	Deerfield,
CY2020	dei	Entity Address State Or Province EntityAddressStateOrProvince	IL
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Postal Zip Code EntityAddressPostalZipCode	60015
CY2020	dei	City Area Code CityAreaCode	224
CY2020	dei	Local Phone Number LocalPhoneNumber	551-4000
CY2020	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2020	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Interactive Data Current EntityInteractiveDataCurrent	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2020	dei	Entity Small Business EntitySmallBusiness	false
CY2020	dei	Entity Emerging Growth Company EntityEmergingGrowthCompany	false
CY2020	dei	Icfr Auditor Attestation Flag IcfrAuditorAttestationFlag	true
CY2020	dei	Entity Shell Company EntityShellCompany	false
CY2020Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	67900000000	USD
CY2020Q4	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	545303847	shares
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CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	53800000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	54722000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	37195000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	46429000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	4553000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	8290000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	8293000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-44000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-57000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-67000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1006000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1746000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1698000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Profit Of Consolidated Companies ProfitOfConsolidatedCompanies	2989000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Profit Of Consolidated Companies ProfitOfConsolidatedCompanies	6066000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	28000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	24000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6094000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6148000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	5000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	6093000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	544100000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	561600000	shares
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	62946000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	63824000000	USD
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	814894624	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	814894624	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stocks Including Additional Paid In Capital CommonStocksIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapital	6230000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stocks Including Additional Paid In Capital CommonStocksIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapital	5935000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	269590777	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	264812014	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	25178000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	24217000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	35167000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	34437000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-888000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1567000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	47000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	41000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	15378000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	14629000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	78324000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	78453000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	13766000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6148000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-396000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-34000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTaxParent	-39000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	-12000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Change In Ownership For Noncontrolling Interests ChangeInOwnershipForNoncontrollingInterests	53000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	1985000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Minority Interest Decrease From Distributions To Noncontrolling Interest Holders MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	1000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5590641	shares
CY2018	cat	Common Shares Issued From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	313000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	197000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	27673675	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	3798000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	-21000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	14080000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6094000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	16000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-34000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTaxParent	-8000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	35000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	2210000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Minority Interest Decrease From Distributions To Noncontrolling Interest Holders MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders	3000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5126379	shares
CY2019	cat	Common Shares Issued From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	238000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	205000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	30586507	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	3928000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	91000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	14629000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	14629000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	3003000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	577000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-29000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTaxParent	97000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	34000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Dividends Common Stock Cash DividendsCommonStockCash	2247000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5317243	shares
CY2020	cat	Common Shares Issued From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	229000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation	202000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	10096006	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	1250000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	158000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	15378000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	4.12
CY2019	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	3.95
CY2018	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	3.36
CY2020	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	3003000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6094000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	6148000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2432000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2577000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2766000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-383000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-468000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-495000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-74000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	28000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	220000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-1000000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-675000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-1006000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	-1442000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	-171000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	1619000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	34000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	-274000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	1579000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	98000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	-1025000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	709000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	-366000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	172000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	101000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Employee Related Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities	-544000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Employee Related Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities	-757000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Employee Related Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities	-162000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Liability IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability	-126000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Liability IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability	-10000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Liability IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability	-183000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	201000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	93000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	-41000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-686000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-1662000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-1385000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	6327000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	6912000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	6558000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	978000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1056000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	1276000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Equipment On Lease PaymentsToAcquireEquipmentOnLease	1137000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Equipment On Lease PaymentsToAcquireEquipmentOnLease	1613000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Equipment On Lease PaymentsToAcquireEquipmentOnLease	1640000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	772000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1153000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	936000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Finance Receivables PaymentsToAcquireFinanceReceivables	12385000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Finance Receivables PaymentsToAcquireFinanceReceivables	12777000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Finance Receivables PaymentsToAcquireFinanceReceivables	12183000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromCollectionOfFinanceReceivables	12646000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromCollectionOfFinanceReceivables	12183000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Collection Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromCollectionOfFinanceReceivables	10901000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromSaleOfFinanceReceivables	42000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromSaleOfFinanceReceivables	235000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Finance Receivables ProceedsFromSaleOfFinanceReceivables	477000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	111000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	47000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	392000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	25000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	41000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	16000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Marketable Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities	345000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Marketable Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities	529000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Marketable Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities	442000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities	638000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities	552000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Marketable Securities PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities	506000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	66000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	24000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-13000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1485000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1928000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-3212000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	2243000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	2132000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	1951000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity	229000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity	238000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Or Sale Of Equity ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity	313000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	1130000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	4047000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	3798000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Proceedsfrom Machinery Energyand Transportation ProceedsfromMachineryEnergyandTransportation	1991000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Proceedsfrom Machinery Energyand Transportation ProceedsfromMachineryEnergyandTransportation	1479000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Proceedsfrom Machinery Energyand Transportation ProceedsfromMachineryEnergyandTransportation	57000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Proceedsfrom Financial Products. ProceedsfromFinancialProducts.	8440000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Proceedsfrom Financial Products. ProceedsfromFinancialProducts.	8362000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Proceedsfrom Financial Products. ProceedsfromFinancialProducts.	8850000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Payments Machinery Energyand Transportation PaymentsMachineryEnergyandTransportation	26000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Payments Machinery Energyand Transportation PaymentsMachineryEnergyandTransportation	12000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Payments Machinery Energyand Transportation PaymentsMachineryEnergyandTransportation	7000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Payments Financial Products PaymentsFinancialProducts	8211000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	-430000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	8292000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Payments Financial Products PaymentsFinancialProducts	8285000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Payments Financial Products PaymentsFinancialProducts	7822000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt Maturing In Three Months Or Less ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess	-2804000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt Maturing In Three Months Or Less ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess	-138000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt Maturing In Three Months Or Less ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebtMaturingInThreeMonthsOrLess	762000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-3000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-54000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-3755000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-4538000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-3650000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	-13000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	-44000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	-126000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	1074000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	402000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	7890000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	8320000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	9366000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	8292000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	7890000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Number Of Countries Served By Dealers NumberOfCountriesServedByDealers	192	countries
CY2020Q4	cat	Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Significant Influence EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageSignificantInfluence	0.20
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Percentage Of Lifo Inventory PercentageOfLIFOInventory	0.60
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Lifo Reserve InventoryLIFOReserve	2132000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Lifo Reserve InventoryLIFOReserve	2086000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Noncurrent ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNoncurrent	674000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Leases Income Statement Depreciation Expense On Property Subject To Or Held For Lease OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementDepreciationExpenseOnPropertySubjectToOrHeldForLease	758000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Leases Income Statement Depreciation Expense On Property Subject To Or Held For Lease OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementDepreciationExpenseOnPropertySubjectToOrHeldForLease	813000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Leases Income Statement Depreciation Expense On Property Subject To Or Held For Lease OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementDepreciationExpenseOnPropertySubjectToOrHeldForLease	819000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	2122000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	2253000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	2435000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	<div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">I. Estimates in financial statements</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The more significant estimates include: residual values for leased assets; fair values for goodwill impairment tests; warranty liability and reserves for product liability and insurance losses, postretirement benefits, post-sale discounts, credit losses and income taxes.</span></div>
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Current ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossCurrent	6310000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Current ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossCurrent	7648000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Current ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossCurrent	7743000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Noncurrent ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNoncurrent	657000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Receivable After Allowance For Credit Loss Noncurrent ContractWithCustomerReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNoncurrent	693000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	1526000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	1654000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	1680000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability Revenue Recognized ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized	1012000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability Revenue Recognized ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized	1171000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	5700000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	2200000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction Period1 RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1	P12M
CY2020	cat	Period After Which Collection Of Future Income Is Considered As Not Probable PeriodAfterWhichCollectionOfFutureIncomeIsConsideredAsNotProbable	P120D
CY2015Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Authorized ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized	38800000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Additional Shares Authorized ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized	36000000	shares
CY2020	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5317243	shares
CY2019	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5126379	shares
CY2018	cat	Common Shares Issued Shares From Treasury Stock For Stock Based Compensation CommonSharesIssuedSharesFromTreasuryStockForStockBasedCompensation	5590641	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Authorized ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized	74800000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	36488284	shares
CY2020	cat	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Long Service Separation Eligibility Required Minimum Age ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLongServiceSeparationEligibilityRequiredMinimumAge	P55Y
CY2020	cat	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Long Service Separation Eligibility Minimum Term Of Service ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLongServiceSeparationEligibilityMinimumTermOfService	P5Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Expiration Period SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod	P10Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Expiration Period SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod	P10Y
CY2020	cat	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Term Life From Separation Date ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermLifeFromSeparationDate	P5Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Expiration Period SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod	P10Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate	0.025
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate	0.026
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate	0.027
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.257
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.291
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Volatility Rate ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate	0.302
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum	0.245
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum	0.297
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum	0.251
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	197000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum	0.387
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum	0.215
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum	0.330
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum	0.0121
CY2020	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum	0.0139
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum	0.0248
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum	0.0268
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Minimum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum	0.0202
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Maximum ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum	0.0287
CY2020	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1	P8Y
CY2019	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1	P7Y
CY2018	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1	P8Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	202000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	205000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	34000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	35000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	36000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized	133000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition1 EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1	P1Y7M6D
CY2020	cat	Cash Tax Benefits Realized From Stock Awards Exercised CashTaxBenefitsRealizedFromStockAwardsExercised	108000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Cash Tax Benefits Realized From Stock Awards Exercised CashTaxBenefitsRealizedFromStockAwardsExercised	89000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Cash Tax Benefits Realized From Stock Awards Exercised CashTaxBenefitsRealizedFromStockAwardsExercised	103000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Maximum Lengthof Time Policy Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge MaximumLengthofTimePolicyForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge	P5Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Maximum Length Of Time Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge MaximumLengthOfTimeForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge	P60M
CY2020	cat	Managing Commodity Price Risk Maximum Period ManagingCommodityPriceRiskMaximumPeriod	P5Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	29082000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-44000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	36630000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-57000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified Within Twelve Months CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths	14000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Collateral Obligation To Return Cash Offset DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Collateral Obligation To Return Cash Offset DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	281000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	281000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Not Offset Policy Election Deduction DerivativeAssetNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction	95000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Collateral Obligation To Return Cash DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Offset Against Collateral Net Of Not Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Policy Election DerivativeAssetFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection	186000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	298000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities DerivativeLiabilities	298000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Not Offset Policy Election Deduction DerivativeLiabilityNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction	95000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Collateral Right To Reclaim Cash DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Offset Against Collateral Net Of Not Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Policy Election DerivativeLiabilityFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection	203000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	116000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	116000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Not Offset Policy Election Deduction DerivativeAssetNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction	34000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Collateral Obligation To Return Cash DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Asset Fair Value Offset Against Collateral Net Of Not Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Policy Election DerivativeAssetFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection	82000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	71000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities DerivativeLiabilities	71000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Not Offset Policy Election Deduction DerivativeLiabilityNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction	34000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Collateral Right To Reclaim Cash DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liability Fair Value Offset Against Collateral Net Of Not Subject To Master Netting Arrangement Policy Election DerivativeLiabilityFairValueOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementPolicyElection	37000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Investment Income Net InvestmentIncomeNet	112000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Investment Income Net InvestmentIncomeNet	202000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Investment Income Net InvestmentIncomeNet	195000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-193000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-67000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-201000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Royalty Income Nonoperating RoyaltyIncomeNonoperating	104000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Royalty Income Nonoperating RoyaltyIncomeNonoperating	121000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Royalty Income Nonoperating RoyaltyIncomeNonoperating	125000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Debt And Equity Securities Gain Loss DebtAndEquitySecuritiesGainLoss	37000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Debt And Equity Securities Gain Loss DebtAndEquitySecuritiesGainLoss	65000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Debt And Equity Securities Gain Loss DebtAndEquitySecuritiesGainLoss	-29000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Netperiodicpensionand Ope Bincomecostexcludingservicecost NetperiodicpensionandOPEBincomecostexcludingservicecost	-90000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Netperiodicpensionand Ope Bincomecostexcludingservicecost NetperiodicpensionandOPEBincomecostexcludingservicecost	-363000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Netperiodicpensionand Ope Bincomecostexcludingservicecost NetperiodicpensionandOPEBincomecostexcludingservicecost	-118000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Miscellaneous Income Loss Nonoperating MiscellaneousIncomeLossNonoperating	-14000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Miscellaneous Income Loss Nonoperating MiscellaneousIncomeLossNonoperating	-15000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Miscellaneous Income Loss Nonoperating MiscellaneousIncomeLossNonoperating	-39000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-44000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-57000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-67000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	839000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	1641000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	1643000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.210
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	285000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	0.071
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	365000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	0.047
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	282000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	0.036
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	32000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.008
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	59000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.008
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	22000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.003
CY2020	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax IncomeTaxReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	28000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	0.007
CY2019	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax IncomeTaxReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	34000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	0.004
CY2018	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax IncomeTaxReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	33000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Interest And Penalties Net Of Tax EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationInterestAndPenaltiesNetOfTax	0.004
CY2020	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Us Tax Incentives IncomeTaxReconciliationUSTaxIncentives	52000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Us Tax Incentive As A Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUSTaxIncentiveAsAPercent	-0.013
CY2019	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Us Tax Incentives IncomeTaxReconciliationUSTaxIncentives	149000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Us Tax Incentive As A Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUSTaxIncentiveAsAPercent	-0.019
CY2018	cat	Income Tax Reconciliation Us Tax Incentives IncomeTaxReconciliationUSTaxIncentives	106000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Us Tax Incentive As A Percent EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUSTaxIncentiveAsAPercent	-0.013
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Other IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsOther	49000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deductions Other EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeductionsOther	0.012
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Other IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsOther	41000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deductions Other EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeductionsOther	0.005
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Other IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsOther	56000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deductions Other EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeductionsOther	0.007
CY2018	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformamount U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformamount	-154000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	-80000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	-0.020
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	0
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	0
CY2020	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningsamount MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningsamount	0	USD
CY2020	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningspercent MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningspercent	0
CY2019	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningsamount MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningsamount	-178000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningspercent MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningspercent	-0.023
CY2018	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningsamount MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningsamount	50000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Mandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earningspercent MandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earningspercent	0.007
CY2020	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformamount U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformamount	0	USD
CY2020	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformpercent U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformpercent	0
CY2019	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformamount U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformamount	0	USD
CY2019	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformpercent U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformpercent	0
CY2018	cat	U.S.Deferredtaxratechange2017 U.S.Taxreformpercent U.S.deferredtaxratechange2017U.S.taxreformpercent	-0.020
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	0
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	0
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	-29000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	-0.004
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	3000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.001
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	15000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.002
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	13000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0.001
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1006000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.252
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1746000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.224
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1698000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.217
CY2018	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	25000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Correctionof Prior Year Valuation Allowance CorrectionofPriorYearValuationAllowance	59000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Adjustmentto U.S.2017taxreformestimatedimpact AdjustmenttoU.S.2017taxreformestimatedimpact	-104000000	USD
CY2017Q4	cat	U.S.2017taxreformestimatedimpact U.S.2017taxreformestimatedimpact	2371000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Charge Benefit To Us Deferred Taxes Due To Us Tax Rate Change Resulted From2017 Us Tax Reform ChargeBenefitToUSDeferredTaxesDueToUSTaxRateChangeResultedFrom2017USTaxReform	-154000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.21
CY2018	cat	Adjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earnings AdjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earnings	50000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Adjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earnings AdjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earnings	178000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Of Foreign Subsidiaries UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries	14000000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	590000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	2888000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	2131000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	3405000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	4924000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	5691000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	3995000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	7812000000	USD
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CY2020Q4	cat	Line Of Credit Facility Global Credit Facilities Supporting Commercial Paper LineOfCreditFacilityGlobalCreditFacilitiesSupportingCommercialPaper	-1321000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit LineOfCredit	744000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	11613000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cat	Net Worth NetWorth	15410000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cat	Minimum Net Worth Required Under Credit Facility MinimumNetWorthRequiredUnderCreditFacility	9000000000.00	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	2998000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	6093000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	6147000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	544100000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	561600000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	591400000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	4500000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	5900000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	8000000.0	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	548600000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	567500000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	599400000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	5.51
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	10.85
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	10.39
CY2020	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	5.46
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	10.74
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	10.26
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	545300000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	550100000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	575500000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	4600000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	3000000.0	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	1500000	shares
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Authorized Amount1 StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1	10000000000.0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount1 StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1	4800000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	10100000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	30600000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	27700000	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	1300000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	4000000000.0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	3800000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1487000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1601000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1205000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	513000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	21000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	-373000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	-42000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	24000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	555000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	16000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-397000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationBeforeTax	22000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationBeforeTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationBeforeTax	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	22000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	1000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	577000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	16000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-396000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-910000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1487000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1601000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-3000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	12000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	46000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Credit Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostCreditArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	-1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Credit Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostCreditArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	-4000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Credit Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostCreditArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	6000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-4000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-6000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax	-38000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax	-40000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax	-36000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditTax	-10000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditTax	-10000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditTax	-8000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditNetOfTax	-28000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditNetOfTax	-30000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Amortization Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Prior Service Cost Credit Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditNetOfTax	-28000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-29000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-34000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-34000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-32000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-3000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	12000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax	-15000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	-97000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	-80000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	-41000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	-116000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	57000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax	80000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax	-25000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax	14000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax	19000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax	-91000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax	43000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax	61000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax	241000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax	-66000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax	-131000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax	53000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax	-31000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax	188000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax	-51000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassification After Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax	-100000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax	97000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax	-8000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification And Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax	-39000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	-97000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Aoci Loss Cash Flow Hedge Cumulative Gain Loss After Tax AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax	-80000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	20000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	-15000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	8000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	45000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	45000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax	-15000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	10000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	10000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax	-3000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	35000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	35000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-12000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax	-1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Before Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci For Sale Of Securities Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	34000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	35000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	-12000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	54000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	20000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax	-15000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-888000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1567000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1684000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cat	Derivatives Maximum Exposure To Credit Loss DerivativesMaximumExposureToCreditLoss	281000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cat	Derivatives Maximum Exposure To Credit Loss DerivativesMaximumExposureToCreditLoss	116000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	204000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	232000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	50000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	57000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P7Y
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P7Y
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.02	Rate
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.02	Rate
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	174000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	118000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	88000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	66000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	51000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	182000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	679000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	59000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	201000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	224000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Operating Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability	178000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Operating Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability	122000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Sales Type Lease Revenue SalesTypeLeaseRevenue	521000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Next Twelve Months LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths	842000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Two Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears	494000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Three Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears	260000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Four Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears	134000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Five Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears	64000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Thereafter LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThereafter	64000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived	1858000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Sales Type Lease Revenue SalesTypeLeaseRevenue	492000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome	1124000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome	1248000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Lease Income LeaseIncome	1616000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Lease Income LeaseIncome	1769000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	5000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue	5000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	1485000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	1609000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cat	Unused Commitments And Lines Of Credit For Dealers UnusedCommitmentsAndLinesOfCreditForDealers	11630000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unused Commitments To Extend Credit UnusedCommitmentsToExtendCredit	675000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	41748000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual ProductWarrantyAccrual	1541000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual ProductWarrantyAccrual	1391000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Payments ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	897000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Payments ProductWarrantyAccrualPayments	903000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	968000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual Warranties Issued ProductWarrantyAccrualWarrantiesIssued	1053000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual ProductWarrantyAccrual	1612000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Product Warranty Accrual ProductWarrantyAccrual	1541000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Number Of Group Presidents NumberOfGroupPresidents	4	group_presidents
CY2020	us-gaap	Number Of Operating Segments NumberOfOperatingSegments	5	segments
CY2020	cat	Useful Life To Amortize Goodwill To Segment Assets UsefulLifeToAmortizeGoodwillToSegmentAssets	P20Y
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	41748000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	53800000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	53800000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	54722000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	54722000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	3995000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	7812000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	7822000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	78324000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	78453000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2432000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2577000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	2766000000	USD
CY2020	cat	Segment Reporting Information Expenditure For Additions Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssets	2115000000	USD
CY2019	cat	Segment Reporting Information Expenditure For Additions Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssets	2669000000	USD
CY2018	cat	Segment Reporting Information Expenditure For Additions Long Lived Assets SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssets	2916000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	41748000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	53800000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	54722000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	12401000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	12904000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	354000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	236000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	386000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	48000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	85000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Severance Costs1 SeveranceCosts1	271000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Severance Costs1 SeveranceCosts1	48000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Restructuring PaymentsForRestructuring	155000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Restructuring PaymentsForRestructuring	85000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	164000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Restructuring Reserve RestructuringReserve	48000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10635000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	9997000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	9881000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	11235000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	7266000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	7113000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	6919000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	7784000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2648000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2197000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2309000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2786000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1092000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	458000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	668000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	780000000	USD
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.00
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.84
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.23
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.43
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.98
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.84
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.22
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.42
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	13466000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	14432000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	12758000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	13144000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	9003000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	9941000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	8569000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cost Of Revenue CostOfRevenue	9117000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	3721000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	3730000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	3405000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	3269000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1881000000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1620000000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1494000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1098000000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	3.29
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.85
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.69
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.00
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	3.25
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.83
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.66
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.97
CY2020Q1	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	254000000	USD
CY2020Q2	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-122000000	USD
CY2020Q3	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-77000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-438000000	USD
CY2019Q1	cat	Adjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnon U.S.Earnings AdjustmenttoestimatedtaxformandatorydeemedrepatriationofnonU.S.earnings	178000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss	-468000000	USD

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
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0000018230-21-000063-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0000018230-21-000063.txt	Edgar Link	pending
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cat-20201231.htm	Edgar Link	pending
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$CAT
CATERPILLAR INC Stock $cat

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000001823021000063 Filed on February 17, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$CAT CATERPILLAR INC Stock $cat

2020 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000001823021000063 Filed on February 17, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$CAT
CATERPILLAR INC Stock $cat