Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense)									$ (15)		$ (27)		$ (22)
Interest Expense									(611)		(593)		(631)
Reclassifications before tax	$ 122	$ 146	$ 148	$ 145	$ 129	$ 153	$ 150	$ 187	561		619		753
Tax (provision) benefit									(171)		(158)		(209)
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 85	$ 97	$ 102	$ 100	$ 114	$ 109	$ 104	$ 133	384	[1]	460	[1]	535	[1]
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before tax									25		(5)		(6)
Tax (provision) benefit									(9)		2		2
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)									16		(3)		(4)
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)									28		1		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 Expense									$ (3)		$ (6)		$ (6)

[1] Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.