| **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)**   | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
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| **Accounting Policies [Abstract]**                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Basis of Presentation                                       | Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cat Financial and consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs) in which Cat Financial is the primary beneficiary.  We consolidate all variable-interest entities (VIEs) where we are the primary beneficiary.  For VIEs, we assess whether we are the primary beneficiary as prescribed by the accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs.  The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity.  Please refer to Note 11 for more information.  We have customers that are VIEs of which we are not the primary beneficiary. Although we have provided financial support to these entities and therefore have a variable interest, we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance.  Our maximum exposure to loss from our involvement with these VIEs is limited to the credit risk inherently present in the financial support that we have provided. These risks are evaluated and reflected in our financial statements as part of our overall portfolio of finance receivables and related allowance for credit losses. Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform with current-year financial statement presentation. |
| Recognition of Earned Income                                | Recognition of Earned Income Finance revenue is recorded over the life of the related finance receivable using the interest method, including the accretion of certain direct origination costs that are deferred. Revenue from rental payments received on operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Recognition of finance revenue and operating lease revenue is suspended and the account is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Recognition is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the account becomes current and collection of remaining amounts is considered probable. We participate in certain marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and/or Caterpillar dealers that allow us to periodically offer financing to customers at interest rates that are below market rates.  Under these marketing programs, Caterpillar and/or the dealer funds an amount at the outset of the transaction, which we then recognize as revenue over the term of the financing.  The funds we receive from Caterpillar and/or the dealer equal an amount that when combined with the customer’s contractual interest provides us with a market interest rate.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Depreciation                                                | Depreciation Depreciation for equipment on operating leases is recognized using the straight-line method over the lease term, typically one to seven years.  The depreciable basis is the original cost of the equipment less the estimated residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease term.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Derivative Financial Instruments                            | Derivative Financial Instruments Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  Our Risk Management Policy (policy) allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposures.  Our policy specifies that derivatives are not to be used for speculative purposes.  Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward, option, and cross currency contracts and interest rate swaps.  All derivatives are recorded at fair value.  See Note 10 for additional information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Foreign Currency Translation                                | Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for most of our subsidiaries is the respective local currency.  Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of foreign currency amounts to the functional currency are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Profit.  Gains and losses resulting from translating assets and liabilities from the functional currency to U.S. dollars are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements | Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts.  Significant estimates include the allowance for credit losses, residual values for leased assets, income taxes and the assumptions used to determine the fair value of derivatives.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

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| - Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting.  The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.
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Disclosure of accounting policy for depreciation, depletion, and amortization of property and equipment costs, including methods used and estimated useful lives and how impairment of such assets is assessed and recognized.
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Disclosure of accounting policy for its derivative instruments and hedging activities.
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| - Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for (1) transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting enterprise's functional currency, (2) translating foreign currency financial statements that are incorporated into the financial statements of the reporting enterprise by consolidation, combination, or the equity method of accounting, and (3) remeasurement of the financial statements of a foreign reporting enterprise in a hyperinflationary economy.
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| - Definition
Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.
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Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
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