Convertible and Long-Term Debt Obligations - 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022, Bond Hedges and Warrant Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) d $ / shares shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of warrants		$ 52,883,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt conversion, converted instrument, amount		$ 145,600,000
Debt instrument, effective interest rate	6.00%	6.00%
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of convertible senior notes	$ 977,500,000	$ 977,500,000
Interest Rate	2.375%	2.375%
Debt instrument maturity date	Mar. 31, 2022
Proceeds from convertible senior notes, net of underwriting discounts and issuance costs	$ 965,900,000
Convertible principal amount		$ 1,000
Convertible instrument, shares issued \| shares		3.0534
Convertible notes, conversion price \| $ / shares	$ 327.50	$ 327.50
Debt instrument convertible, percentage of conversion price	130.00%	130.00%
Average percentage of closing sale price of common stock		98.00%
Percentage of repurchase price is equal to principal amount of convertible notes		100.00%
Payment for purchase of common stock \| shares	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock purchase price \| $ / shares	$ 327.50	$ 327.50
Hedge transactions		$ 204,100,000
Shares issued under warrants \| shares	3,000,000	3,000,000
Exercise price of warrant \| $ / shares	$ 655.00	$ 655.00
Proceeds from issuance of warrants		$ 52,900,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share \| $ / shares	327.50	$ 327.50
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share \| $ / shares	$ 655.00	$ 655.00
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] \| One Hundred Thirty Percent Applicable Conversion Price [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument convertible consecutive trading days \| d		20
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] \| One Hundred Thirty Percent Applicable Conversion Price [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument convertible trading days		30 days
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.375% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2022 [Member] \| Ninety Eight Percent Applicable Conversion Price
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument convertible consecutive trading days \| d		5

Conversion price per share.

No definition available.

Name:	tsla_ConversionPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt instrument convertible conversion price percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tsla_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares we purchase under note hedge transactions entered.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tsla_NoteHedgesNumberOfSharesContractedToBuy
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cost of the convertible note hedge transactions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tsla_NoteHedgesTransactionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of convertible notes is equal to repurchase price.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tsla_PercentageOfPrincipalAmountOfConvertibleNotesIsEqualToRepurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchase price per common stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tsla_PurchasePricePerCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of the financial instrument(s) that the original debt is being converted into in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of shares issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6031898-161870

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Threshold period of specified consecutive trading days within which common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instruments must exceed threshold percentage for a specified number of trading days to trigger conversion feature, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdConsecutiveTradingDays
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Threshold number of specified trading days that common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instruments must exceed threshold percentage within a specified consecutive trading period to trigger conversion feature.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdTradingDays
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from additional borrowings, net of cash paid to third parties in connection with debt origination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from issuance of rights to purchase common shares at predetermined price (usually issued together with corporate debt).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=tsla_TwoPointThreeSevenFivePercentSeniorConvertibleNoteDueTwentyTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis=tsla_OneHundredThirtyPercentApplicableConversionPriceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis=tsla_NinetyEightPercentApplicableConversionPriceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: