<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.25.4</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>1285</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>725</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>281</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>24</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000002 - Document - Audit Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/AuditInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Audit Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952151 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDINCOME</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952152 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952153 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952154 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952155 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952156 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCASHFLOWS</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952157 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCHANGESINEQUITY</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952158 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCHANGESINEQUITYParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952159 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDINCOMEHOUSTONELECTRIC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952160 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEHOUSTONELECTRIC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952161 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEHOUSTONELECTRICParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - HOUSTON ELECTRIC (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952162 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHOUSTONELECTRIC</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952163 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHOUSTONELECTRICParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952164 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCASHFLOWSHOUSTONELECTRIC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952165 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCHANGESINEQUITYHOUSTONELECTRIC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY - HOUSTON ELECTRIC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952166 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME - CERC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDINCOMECERC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME - CERC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952167 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - CERC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMECERC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - CERC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952168 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - CERC (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMECERCParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - CERC (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952169 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CERC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CERC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952170 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CERC (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSCERCParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - CERC (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952171 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS - CERC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCASHFLOWSCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS - CERC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952172 - Statement - STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY - CERC</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/STATEMENTSOFCONSOLIDATEDCHANGESINEQUITYCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CHANGES IN EQUITY - CERC</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952173 - Disclosure - Background and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/BackgroundandBasisofPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Background and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952174 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952175 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952176 - Disclosure - Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952177 - Disclosure - Revenue</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/Revenue</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952178 - Disclosure - Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952179 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMatters</Role>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952180 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952181 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952182 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergy</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952183 - Disclosure - Equity (CenterPoint Energy)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquityCenterPointEnergy</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (CenterPoint Energy)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952184 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952185 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952186 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952187 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareCenterPointEnergy</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952188 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952189 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952190 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERC</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952191 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9952192 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995445 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995447 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Policies and Procedures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingPoliciesProc</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Policies and Procedures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995550 - Disclosure - Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy Disclosure</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/cyd/role/CybersecurityRiskManagementAndStrategyDisclosure</Role>
      <ShortName>Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy Disclosure</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955511 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955512 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955513 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955514 - Disclosure - Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERC</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955515 - Disclosure - Revenue (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RevenueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/Revenue</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955516 - Disclosure - Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERC</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955517 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMattersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMatters</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955518 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955519 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955520 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergy</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955521 - Disclosure - Equity (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquityCenterPointEnergyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergy</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955522 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955523 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955524 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955525 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareCenterPointEnergyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareCenterPointEnergy</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955526 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegments</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955527 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955528 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERC</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955529 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955530 - Disclosure - Background and Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/BackgroundandBasisofPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Background and Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/BackgroundandBasisofPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955531 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of LIFO Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleofLIFOInventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of LIFO Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955532 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Interest Capitalized or Deferred (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleofInterestCapitalizedorDeferredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Interest Capitalized or Deferred (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955533 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955534 - Disclosure - Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955535 - Disclosure - Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCScheduleofAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955536 - Disclosure - Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Pre-tax Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCScheduleofPretaxIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Held for Sale, Divestitures and Acquisition (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Pre-tax Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/HeldforSaleDivestituresandAcquisitionCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955537 - Disclosure - Revenue - Schedule of Disaggregate Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RevenueScheduleofDisaggregateRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Schedule of Disaggregate Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955538 - Disclosure - Revenue - Schedule of Contract with Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RevenueScheduleofContractwithCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Schedule of Contract with Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955539 - Disclosure - Revenue - Schedule of Bad Debt Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RevenueScheduleofBadDebtExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue - Schedule of Bad Debt Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955540 - Disclosure - Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERCScheduleofGoodwillbyReportableSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955541 - Disclosure - Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERCNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/GoodwillCenterPointEnergyandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955542 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters - Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMattersScheduleofRegulatoryAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters - Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955543 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters - Schedule of Allowed Equity Return Recognized (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMattersScheduleofAllowedEquityReturnRecognizedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters - Schedule of Allowed Equity Return Recognized (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955544 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RegulatoryMattersNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955545 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Based Incentive Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansStockBasedIncentiveCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Based Incentive Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955546 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansPensionandPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955547 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955548 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Change in Control Agreements and Other Employee Matters (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/StockBasedIncentiveCompensationPlansandEmployeeBenefitPlansChangeinControlAgreementsandOtherEmployeeMattersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefit Plans - Change in Control Agreements and Other Employee Matters (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955549 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsScheduleofAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955550 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsScheduleofEstimatedFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955551 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Gain (Loss) On Equity Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyScheduleofGainLossOnEquitySecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Gain (Loss) On Equity Securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955552 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Securities Classified as Trading (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyScheduleofSecuritiesClassifiedasTradingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Securities Classified as Trading (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955553 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955554 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Reference Shares (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyScheduleofReferenceSharesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Reference Shares (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955555 - Disclosure - Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyScheduleofFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Securities and Indexed Debt Securities (ZENS) (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955556 - Disclosure - Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Dividends Declared and Dividends Paid (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquityCenterPointEnergyScheduleofDividendsDeclaredandDividendsPaidDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Dividends Declared and Dividends Paid (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955557 - Disclosure - Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquityCenterPointEnergyNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955558 - Disclosure - Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquityCenterPointEnergyScheduleofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (CenterPoint Energy) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EquitySecuritiesandIndexedDebtSecuritiesZENSCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955559 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955560 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments Were Issued or Incurred (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofDebtInstrumentsWereIssuedorIncurredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments Were Issued or Incurred (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955561 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955562 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments Were Repaid at Maturity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofDebtInstrumentsWereRepaidatMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments Were Repaid at Maturity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955563 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Early Extinguishment of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofEarlyExtinguishmentofDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Early Extinguishment of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955564 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Revolving Credit Facilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofRevolvingCreditFacilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Revolving Credit Facilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955565 - Disclosure - Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Maturities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ShorttermBorrowingsandLongtermDebtScheduleofMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Short-term Borrowings and Long-term Debt - Schedule of Maturities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955566 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleofIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955567 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleofReconciliationofIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955568 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleofDeferredTaxAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955569 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955570 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleofUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955571 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Purchase Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofPurchaseObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Purchase Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955572 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesGuaranteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955573 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Legal, Environmental and Other Matters (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesLegalEnvironmentalandOtherMattersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Legal, Environmental and Other Matters (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>110</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955574 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Estimated Accrued Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesScheduleofEstimatedAccruedCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Estimated Accrued Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>111</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955575 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareCenterPointEnergyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (CenterPoint Energy) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareCenterPointEnergyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>112</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955576 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>113</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955577 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Schedule of Financial Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsScheduleofFinancialDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Schedule of Financial Data (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>114</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955578 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Schedule of Interest Income and Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsScheduleofInterestIncomeandExpendituresforLongLivedAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Schedule of Interest Income and Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>115</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R116.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955579 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenues From Major External Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsScheduleofRevenuesFromMajorExternalCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenues From Major External Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>116</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R117.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955580 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenues by Products and Services (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/ReportableSegmentsScheduleofRevenuesbyProductsandServicesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Schedule of Revenues by Products and Services (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>117</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R118.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955581 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information - Schedule of Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationScheduleofSupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information - Schedule of Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>118</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R119.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955582 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>119</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R120.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955583 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureofCashFlowandBalanceSheetInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>120</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R121.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955584 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Money Pool Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCScheduleofMoneyPoolActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Money Pool Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>121</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R122.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955585 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Affiliated-Related Net Interest Income (Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCScheduleofAffiliatedRelatedNetInterestIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Affiliated-Related Net Interest Income (Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>122</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R123.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955586 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Amounts Charged For Services (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCScheduleofAmountsChargedForServicesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Houston Electric and CERC) - Schedule of Amounts Charged For Services (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsHoustonElectricandCERCTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>123</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R124.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955587 - Disclosure - Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/LeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>124</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cnp-20251231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R125.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9955588 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.centerpointenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>125</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" isDefinitelyFs="true" isUsgaap="true" original="cnp-20251231.htm">cnp-20251231.htm</File>
    <File>cnp-20251231.xsd</File>
    <File>cnp-20251231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cnp-20251231_def.xml</File>
    <File>cnp-20251231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cnp-20251231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="3585">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="15">http://xbrl.sec.gov/cyd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="97">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="5">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2025</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
