Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense)		$ (3)	$ (11)	$ (10)	$ (25)
Interest		(151)	(144)	(458)	(445)
Reclassifications before tax		146	153	439	490
Tax (provision) benefit		(48)	(44)	(136)	(142)
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	[1]	97	109	299	346
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before tax		(10)	(1)	(19)	(4)
Tax (provision) benefit		3	0	6	1
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		(7)	(1)	(13)	(3)
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments | Cross currency contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense)		(10)	0	(16)	0
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments | Interest rate contracts
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest		$ 0	$ (1)	$ (3)	$ (4)

[1] Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.