Investments, at fair value EBP, Investment, Fair Value Change in certain deemed distributions of participant loans EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Deemed Distribution Forfeited and available to pay administrative expenses EBP, Forfeited Nonvested Account, Decrease from Administrative Expense Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] Common Collective Trusts, Short-Term Investments Common Collective Trusts, Short-Term Investments [Member] Common Collective Trusts, Short-Term Investments Other investments, net EBP, Other Investment [Member] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] Contributions, percentage of eligible compensation EBP, Participant Contribution, Pretax, Maximum Annual Compensation to Total Compensation, Percentage EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Table] EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Table] Total deductions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease Common Collective Trusts, Core Fixed Income Bonds Common Collective Trusts, Core Fixed Income Bonds [Member] Common Collective Trusts, Core Fixed Income Bonds Maximum borrowing amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, Amount Minimum borrowing amount EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Minimum Borrowing, Amount EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Abstract] Transfers, net EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Transfer To (From) Plans Within Master Trust EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Transfer To (From) Plans Within Master Trust Plan’s Interest in Master Trust EBP, Nonconsolidated, Plan Interest in Master Trust [Member] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table Text Block] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Abstract] Total Master Trust assets EBP, Asset Interest and dividend income EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase [Abstract] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar Inc. [Member] Progress Rail Participant Withdrawals EBP, Payment to Participant [Policy Text Block] Transfers from (to) other plans EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Transfer to (from) Plan Unfunded Commitments EBP, Fair Value, Investment, NAV, Unfunded Commitment U.S. government securities US Treasury and Government [Member] EBP, Master Trust [Line Items] EBP, Master Trust [Line Items] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Certain deemed distributions of participant loans EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Deemed Distribution EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Type [Domain] Basis of Accounting EBP, Basis of Accounting [Policy Text Block] Receivables for securities sold EBP, Investment Sale, Receivable Interest in the Master Trust EBP, Investment, Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair and Contract Value Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Investment Programs EBP, Investment [Text Block] EBP, Investment EBP, Description of Plan and Accounting Change [Abstract] Receivables EBP, Receivable [Abstract] Schedule of Master Trust Assets at Fair Value EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table Text Block] Rail EBP 002 [Member] EBP 002 Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Common stocks EBP, Nonemployer, Common Stock [Member] EBP, Master Trust [Abstract] Corporate bonds and notes EBP, Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member] EBP, Corporate Bonds And Notes Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements EBP, Use of Estimate [Policy Text Block] Cover [Abstract] Change in adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive synthetic guaranteed investment contracts EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Contract Value to Current Value Common Collective Trusts, Stocks Common Collective Trusts, Stocks [Member] Common Collective Trusts, Stocks Employer EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Employer Contribution, Cash Caterpillar Inc. common stock net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment, Employer Specific EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment, Employer Specific Accrued income EBP, Investment Income, Receivable Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Interest income on notes receivable from participants EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest Income on Note Receivable from Participant Total contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution Participant EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Excluding Rollover Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment Number of categories of investment options EBP, Number Of Categories Of Investment Options EBP, Number Of Categories Of Investment Options EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] Other income EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Other Investment Income (Loss) Preferred stocks Preferred Stock [Member] Maximum vesting age EBP, Employer Contribution Maximum Vesting Age EBP, Employer Contribution Maximum Vesting Age Plan Description EBP, Description of Plan [Text Block] Derivative Derivative [Member] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive synthetic guaranteed investment contracts EBP, Reconciliation to Form 5500, Net Asset Available for Benefit, Contract Value to Current Value Adjustment Interest EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest Income on Investment EBP, Nonconsolidated, Master Trust and Plan Interest in Master Trust [Domain] EBP, Nonconsolidated, Master Trust and Plan Interest in Master Trust [Domain] Caterpillar Inc. common stock EBP, Employer, Common Stock [Member] Caterpillar Inc. common stock dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Dividend Income on Investment, Employer Specific EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Dividend Income on Investment, Employer Specific EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] Subsidiary ownership percentage by parent Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent Investment income (loss) EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Including Plan Transfers, Increase (Decrease) EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Including Plan Transfers, Increase (Decrease) Administrative expenses Administrative expenses not directly allocated to the plans and other expenses EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Administrative Expense Fully benefit-responsive synthetic guaranteed investment contracts EBP, Investment, Contract Value Other corporate bonds and notes EBP, Other Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member] EBP, Other Corporate Bonds And Notes Risks and Uncertainties EBP, Risk and Uncertainty [Policy Text Block] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Changes in Net Assets: EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Master Trust EBP, Master Trust [Text Block] Common Collective Trusts, U.S. Government Securities Common Collective Trusts, U.S. Government Securities [Member] Common Collective Trusts, U.S. Government Securities Participant compensation matched, percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Participant Compensation Matched, Percentage EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Monthly participant fee EBP, Monthly Participant Fee EBP, Monthly Participant Fee Stocks Equity Securities [Member] Schedule of Core Investment Options EBP, Schedule of Core Investment Options [Table Text Block] EBP, Schedule of Core Investment Options Net income (loss) per Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Income (Loss) EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Line Items] EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Line Items] Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits Plan's increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits per financial statements EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) Related Parties and Parties-In-Interest EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Text Block] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy, Accounting Standard Update, and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Total receivables EBP, Receivable Employer contributions receivable EBP, Employer Contribution, Receivable Net gain (loss) EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Investments EBP, Investment, Fair Value [Abstract] Dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Dividend Income on Investment Employer non-elective contribution rate EBP, Employer Contribution, Annual Fixed Rate Contribution, Percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Annual Fixed Rate Contribution, Percentage Participant withdrawals EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Payment to Participant Transfers EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Other assets Assets [Abstract] EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions [Member] EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] Number of outstanding loans allowed EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Number Of Loans Allowed EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Number Of Loans Allowed Registered investment companies EBP, Registered Investment Companies [Member] EBP, Registered Investment Companies EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] Payables for securities purchased EBP, Liability for Investment Purchase EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] Cash EBP, Noninterest-Bearing Cash Plan interest in net investment income (loss) of the Master Trust EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Change in Plan Interest in Master Trust EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Line Items] General loan, borrowing term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan, Maximum Borrowing Term EBP, Note Receivable From Participant, General Loan, Maximum Borrowing Term Administrative Expenses EBP, Expense [Policy Text Block] Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Text Block] Investments EBP, Investment [Policy Text Block] EBP, Master Trust [Table] EBP, Master Trust [Table] Participant contributions receivable EBP, Participant Contribution, Receivable Document Type Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Abstract] Common collective trusts Common Collective Trust [Member] Net assets EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract]   Deductions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease [Abstract] Total interest and dividend income EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Interest and Dividend Income EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Interest and Dividend Income Notes receivable from participants EBP, Note Receivable from Participant Master Trust EBP, Nonconsolidated, Master Trust [Member] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Total Other assets EBP, Other Asset Summary of Significant Accounting Policies EBP, Summary of Accounting Policy [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Derivative asset (liability) EBP, Derivative, Fair Value, Net EBP, Derivative, Fair Value, Net Schedule of Master Trust Net Assets EBP, Master Trust [Table Text Block] Net assets available for benefits LIABILITIES EBP, Liability [Abstract] Maximum borrowing, to total account, percentage EBP, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, to Total Account, Percentage Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Net investment income (loss) EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment EBP, Nonconsolidated, Master Trust and Plan Interest in Master Trust [Axis] EBP, Nonconsolidated, Master Trust and Plan Interest in Master Trust [Axis] Vesting period EBP, Employer Contribution Vesting Service Period Minimum Vesting service period for company contribution and/ or investment earning to the participant in Company Matching Contributions, Fixed Rate Contributions, Discretionary Profit-Sharing Contributions, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, and Disability Contributions. EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] Net assets available for benefits Beginning of year End of year Net Master Trust assets Net assets available for benefits per financial statements EBP, Net Asset Available for Benefit Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain]   Contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution [Abstract] Matching percentage EBP, Employer Contribution, Matching Percentage Net assets per Form 5500 EBP, Form 5500 Caption, Net Assets Preferred corporate bonds and notes EBP, Preferred Corporate Bonds And Notes [Member] EBP, Preferred Corporate Bonds And Notes Measured at NAV Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] Service period EBP, Requisite Service Hours EBP, Requisite Service Hours Catch -up contribution, minimum age EBP, Catch -up Contribution, Minimum Age EBP, Catch -up Contribution, Minimum Age EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items]