Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense)		$ (4)	$ (3)
Interest		(162)	(155)
Reclassifications before tax		167	145
Tax (provision) benefit		(50)	(44)
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	[1]	115	100
Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | Derivative financial instruments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before tax		(21)	(2)
Tax (provision) benefit		7	0
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)		(14)	(2)
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)		(22)	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		$ 1	$ (2)

[1] Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.