Cat Financial Finacning Activities (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Period after which collection of future income is considered as not probable (in days)	120 days
Finance Receivables
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Period after which collection of future income is considered as not probable (in days)	120 days
Finance Receivables | Dealer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 0	$ 0
Finance Receivables | Customer
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	579	485
Finance Receivables | Customer | North America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	66	31
Finance Receivables | Customer | EMEA
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	35	39
Finance Receivables | Customer | Asia Pacific
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	12	15
Finance Receivables | Customer | Mining
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	69	106
Finance Receivables | Customer | Latin America
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	307	217
Finance Receivables | Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	$ 90	$ 77