Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings (loss) per share [Abstract]

Summary of Earnings per share of common stock

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(Millions Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
Basic earnings (loss) per share —
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$	157	$	39	$	(73	)
Average shares of common stock outstanding		59,884,139		59,208,103		48,572,463
Earnings (loss) per average share of common stock	$	2.62	$	0.65	$	(1.50	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share —
Net income attributable to Tenneco Inc.	$	157	$	39	$	(73	)
Average shares of common stock outstanding		59,884,139		59,208,103		48,572,463
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock		168,539		441,561		—
Stock options		1,467,482		1,349,030		—
Average shares of common stock outstanding including dilutive securities		61,520,160		60,998,694		48,572,463
Earnings (loss) per average share of common stock	$	2.55	$	0.63	$	(1.50	)