Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 19, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000764764
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float	$ 0