Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Allowance for Transaction Losses and Negative Customer Balances Related to Protection Products (Details) - Protection Programs - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 344	$ 266
Provisions, net of recoveries	1,092	1,059
Realized losses	(1,037)	(981)
Ending balance	$ 399	$ 344

Amount of loss contingency liability.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942415&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=pypl_ProtectionProgramsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: