Solar Energy Systems, Net - Components of Solar Energy Systems, Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Solar Energy Systems [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finance Leased Assets [Line Items]
Gross finance leased assets	$ 36.0	$ 36.0
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on finance leased assets	$ 4.2	$ 3.8

Finance leased assets accumulated depreciation and amortization.

No definition available.

Name:	tsla_FinanceLeasedAssetsAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	tsla_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant