Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings/(Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 383	$ 929	$ 1,536	$ (94)	$ (2,255)	$ (122)	$ (6)	$ 389
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	452
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	128							128
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	324			324			324
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)					(87)		(87)
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								(7)
Total other comprehensive loss	(94)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(112)							(112)
Restricted stock awarded			(3)			3
Stock-based compensation	20		20				20
Common stock issued	13		7			6	13
Common stock repurchased	(255)		(215)			(40)	(255)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(169)		(114)		9		(105)	(64)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation	9							9
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	229	929	1,231	230	(2,333)	(153)	(96)	325
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	396
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	114							114
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	282			282			282
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)					(263)		(263)
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								(4)
Total other comprehensive loss	(267)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(104)							(104)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	2							2
Restricted stock awarded			(2)			2
Stock-based compensation	18		18				18
Common stock issued	11		7			4	11
Common stock repurchased	(312)		(272)			(40)	(312)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(212)		(119)		6		(113)	(99)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	(239)	929	863	512	(2,590)	(187)	(473)	234
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	658
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	101							101
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	557			557			557
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)					(24)		(24)
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								5
Total other comprehensive loss	(19)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(79)							(79)
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	17							17
Acquisition of business	7							7
Restricted stock awarded			(2)			2
Stock-based compensation	18		18				18
Common stock issued	17		11			6	17
Common stock repurchased	(257)		(222)			(35)	(257)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 123	$ 929	$ 668	$ 1,069	$ (2,614)	$ (214)	$ (162)	$ 285