Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jul. 22, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	TSLA
Security 12b Title	Common stock
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Registrant Name	Tesla, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001318605
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		990,015,158
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34756
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-2197729
Entity Address, Address Line One	3500 Deer Creek Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Palo Alto
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94304
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	681-5000