Divestitures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disposal groups
Cat Financial financing of transactions	$ 9,339	$ 9,929	$ 11,278

The cash outflow for the purchase of amounts due from customers, clients, lessees, borrowers, or others under the terms of its agreements therewith.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration