401(k) SP EBP 035 [Member] EBP 035 EIN Entity Tax Identification Number Investments, at fair value EBP, Investment, Fair Value Rollover EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Rollover Maximum Maximum [Member] 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] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] 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] EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Table] EBP, Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contract [Table] Self-directed brokerage accounts EBP, Self-Directed Brokerage Account [Member] Default investment election, target age EPB, Default Investment Election, Target Age EPB, Default Investment Election, Target Age 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] Other investments – participant directed brokerage accounts EBP, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair Value 45 to 64 EBP, Employer Contribution, 45 to 64 Points [Member] EBP, Employer Contribution, 45 to 64 Points Transfers, net EBP, Change In Net Asset Available for Benefit, Transfer To (From) Plans Within Master Trust Amount of net asset available for benefit transferred to (from) employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)) related to plans within the 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] Total assets Total Master Trust assets EBP, Asset Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] 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] Participant Withdrawals EBP, Payment to Participant [Policy Text Block] 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]   Plan's interest in the Caterpillar Investment Trust EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Plan Interest in Master Trust, Current Value 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] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] Receivables for securities sold – participant directed brokerage accounts Receivables for securities sold EBP, Investment Sale, Receivable Interest in the Master Trust EBP, Investment, Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair and Contract Value 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] 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] Vesting percentage EBP, Employer Contribution Vesting Percentage Company contribution and/ or investment earning percentage vesting to the participant in Company Matching Contributions, Fixed Rate Contributions, Discretionary Profit-Sharing Contributions, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, and Disability Contributions, upon completion of minimum service period or attainment of maximum vesting age Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held At End of Year) EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type Two EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type Two [Member] EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type Two 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 EBP, Employer Contribution, Points [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Points [Domain] EBP, Employer Contribution, Points [Domain] 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 Minimum Minimum [Member] 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 Number of categories of investment options EBP, Number Of Categories Of Investment Options EBP, Number Of Categories Of Investment Options Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments from participant directed brokerage accounts Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment Interest and dividend income from participant directed brokerage accounts EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest and Dividend Income on Investment EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] Plan number EBP, Plan Number Other income EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Other Investment Income (Loss) Preferred stocks Preferred Stock [Member] 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, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] 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] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Abstract] 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] Investment income (loss) EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] 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 Total Investments EBP, Asset Held for Investment EBP, Employer Contribution, Points [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Points [Axis] EBP, Employer Contribution, Points 65 or more EBP, Employer Contribution, 65 Points or More [Member] EBP, Employer Contribution, 65 Points or More 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] Schedule of Non-Elective Contribution Rates EBP, Schedule Of Automatic Contribution Rates [Table Text Block] EBP, Schedule Of Automatic Contribution Rates 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] Automatic deferral rate, annual increase EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Annual Increase Deferral Rate Annual increase in percentage of eligible compensation contributed for participant automatically enrolled in employee stock purchase, saving, or similar plan (employee benefit plan (EBP)) until the contribution reaches maximum threshold. Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits Plan's Net 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 Automatic contribution rate EBP, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Deferral Rate 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 Caterpillar 401K - Alight Financial Solutions EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Current Value Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Other assets Assets [Abstract] Prime rate percentage EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate EBP, Participant Loan, Basis Spread On Variable Rate 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 – participant directed brokerage accounts Payables for securities purchased EBP, Liability for Investment Purchase 44 or less EBP, Employer Contribution, 44 Points or Less [Member] EBP, Employer Contribution, 44 Points or Less EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] EBP, Reconciliation of Financial Statement to Form 5500 [Table] Cash EBP, Noninterest-Bearing Cash EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type One EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type One [Member] EBP, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions, Type One 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] Notes receivable from participants EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, after Deemed Distribution 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 Interest rate EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Interest Rate 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] 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] Liabilities Net assets available for benefits 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 Total investments EBP, Total Investment and Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair and Contract Value EBP, Total Investment and Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair and Contract Value 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]