| Document and Entity Information - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2016 | Mar. 22, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | |
| Document and Entity Information | |||
| Entity Registrant Name | KKR Financial Holdings LLC | ||
| Entity Central Index Key | 1,386,926 | ||
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
| Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer | ||
| Document Type | 10-K | ||
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2016 | ||
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,016 | ||
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
| Amendment Flag | false | ||
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | ||
| Entity Voluntary Filer | No | ||
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
| Entity Public Float | $ 0 | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 100 |
