Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits - SIP $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025 USD ($)
Investment income (loss)
Plan interest in net investment income (loss) of the Master Trust	$ 123,687
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments from participant directed brokerage accounts	2,699
Net investment income (loss)	126,386
Interest and dividend income
Interest income on notes receivable from participants	640
Interest and dividend income from participant directed brokerage accounts	381
Total interest and dividend income	1,021
Contributions
Participant	11,022
Employer	9,207
Rollover	663
Total contributions	20,892
Deductions
Participant withdrawals	(40,552)
Administrative expenses	(293)
Total deductions	(40,845)
Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits	107,454
Transfers
Transfers from (to) other plans	17,486
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits	124,940
Net assets available for benefits
Beginning of year	425,210
End of year	$ 550,150

EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Including Plan Transfers, Increase (Decrease)

No definition available.

Name:	cat_EBPChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncludingPlanTransfersIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Interest and Dividend Income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cat_EBPChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitInterestAndDividendIncome
Namespace Prefix:	cat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decrease in net asset available for benefit to participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitDecreaseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decrease in net asset available for benefit from administrative expense incurred by employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitDecreaseForAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of decrease in net asset available for benefit from payment of benefit to participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)), including, but not limited to, withdrawal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-05(a)(Schedule III))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(5)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477783/962-325-50-2B

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (f)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477063/962-205-45-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitDecreaseForPaymentToParticipant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in net asset available for benefit to participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483443/250-10-50-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-05(a)(Schedule III))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477509/962-325-45-8

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in net asset available for benefit from increase (decrease) in plan interest in master trust held by employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477063/962-205-45-10

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecreaseForChangeInPlanInterestInMasterTrust
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in net asset available for benefit from realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment held by employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecreaseForGainLossOnInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecreaseForGainLossOnInvestmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in net asset available for benefit from income (loss) on investment held by employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)). Includes, but is not limited to, realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecreaseForIncomeLossOnInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseDecreaseForIncomeLossOnInvestmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in net asset available for benefit from contribution to employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForContribution
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForContributionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in net asset available for benefit from cash contribution from employer of participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForEmployerContributionCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in net asset available for benefit from interest and dividend income on investment held by employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477783/962-325-50-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForInterestAndDividendIncomeOnInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in net asset available for benefit from interest income on note receivable from participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForInterestIncomeOnNoteReceivableFromParticipant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, excluding rollover, of increase in net asset available for benefit from contribution by participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(4)(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(4)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-05(a)(Schedule III))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477783/962-325-50-2B

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (d)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477063/962-205-45-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForParticipantContributionExcludingRollover
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in net asset available for benefit from contribution transferred from another qualified plan or from individual retirement account of participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)). Excludes contribution for participant transmitted by employer of participant in EBP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(4)(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(4)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-05(a)(Schedule III))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477783/962-325-50-2B

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph (d)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477063/962-205-45-7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitIncreaseForParticipantContributionRollover
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net asset available for benefit transferred to (from) employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)) from (to) external plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanChangeInNetAssetAvailableForBenefitTransferToFromExternalPlan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanLiabilityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of asset less liability available to pay benefit of participant in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)), including, but not limited to, aggregation of participants' individual account balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477509/962-325-45-8

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483443/250-10-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 18
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-18

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 325
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478873/962-325-55-17

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-05(a)(Schedule II))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 40
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479750/962-40-25-1

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(7))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-04(6))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6A-03(9))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477804/962-205-S99-1

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 962
-SubTopic 205
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477063/962-205-45-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap-ebp_EmployeeBenefitPlanNetAssetAvailableForBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap-ebp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=cat_EBP013Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: