After tax compensation expense for stock appreciation rights restricted stock units.

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After tax compensation expense for stock options.

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Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights restricted stock performance units and restricted stock units.

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Maximum number of shares that may be issued under LTIP in form other than stock option stock appreciation right or award requiring full payment for shares by recipient.

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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Contractual Term

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Aggregate cash paid by the entity during the period to settle equity instruments granted under equity-based payment arrangements.

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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Amount of tax benefit from exercise of stock options granted under share-based compensation arrangement.

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Amount of cash inflow from exercise of stock options granted under share-based compensation arrangement.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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The noncash expense that accounts for the value of stock or unit options distributed to employees as compensation.

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Stock Options and Other Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense for stock options	$ 105	$ 137	$ 271
After tax compensation expense for stock options	83	89	176
Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights restricted stock performance units and restricted stock units	60	231	371
Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units and restricted stock units, after tax	47	150	241
Cash received in payment for option exercises	1,159	1,100	647
Tax benefits realized for the tax deductions from option exercises	43	48	21
Cash paid to settle performance units and stock appreciation rights	$ 157	187	82
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	748,211
Total intrinsic value options exercised	$ 506	$ 407	$ 240
Total before-tax compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements	$ 53
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements	1 year 7 months 6 days
Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	78,000,000
For awards issued on or after May 29, 2013, the maximum number of shares that may be in a form other than a stock option, stock appreciation right or award requiring full payment for shares by the award recipient (in shares)	50,000,000
Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) \| Maximum \| From April 2004 through May 2023
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	260,000,000
Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	3 years
Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	3 years
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	10 years
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	10 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	1,737,479	1,236,500
Shares granted (in shares)	819,769
Shares vested (in shares)	222,946
Shares forfeited (in shares)	95,844
Shares vested, fair value	$ 125
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	5 years
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	3,669,730	3,090,793
Shares granted (in shares)	1,491,141
Shares vested (in shares)	746,450
Shares forfeited (in shares)	165,754
Shares vested, fair value	$ 258
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	4,200,000.0
Shares vested, fair value	$ 70