Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other income (expense)									$ (27)		$ (22)		$ (35)
Interest Expense									(593)		(631)		(734)
Tax (provision) benefit									(158)		(209)		(167)
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 114	$ 109	$ 104	$ 133	$ 108	$ 148	$ 148	$ 131	460	[1]	535	[1]	513	[1]
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassifications before tax									(5)		(6)		(6)
Tax (provision) benefit									2		2		2
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)									(3)		(4)		(4)
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments | Cross currency contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other income (expense)									1		0		0
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments | Interest rate contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest Expense									$ (6)		$ (6)		$ (6)

[1] Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.