Cat Financial Finacning Activities (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Period after which Collection of Future Income is Considered as Not Probable	120 days
Finance Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Period after which Collection of Future Income is Considered as Not Probable	120 days
Finance Receivables | Dealer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 78	$ 0
Finance Receivables | Customer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	807	683
Finance Receivables | Customer | North America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	77	38
Finance Receivables | Customer | Europe
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	154	37
Finance Receivables | Customer | Asia Pacific
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	4	10
Finance Receivables | Customer | Mining
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	50	63
Finance Receivables | Customer | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	106	192
Finance Receivables | Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 416	$ 343