Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other income (expense)									$ (24)		$ (23)		$ (15)
Interest Expense									(787)		(757)		(667)
Reclassifications before tax	$ 161	$ 184	$ 141	$ 142	$ 46	$ 163	$ 100	$ 124	628		433		590
Tax (provision) benefit									(196)		(108)		4
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 104	$ 129	$ 79	$ 98	$ 18	$ 125	$ 71	$ 91	410	[1]	305	[1]	586	[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									62		167		(72)
Tax (provision) benefit									(14)		(38)		27
Total reclassifications from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)									48		129		(45)
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)									37		148		(81)
Interest Expense									33		19		6
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									$ (8)		$ 0		$ 3

[1] Profit attributable to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.