Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ (239)	$ 929	$ 863	$ 512	$ (2,590)	$ (187)	$ (473)	$ 234
Net income	90
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21							21
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	69			69			69
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)					75		75
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								3
Total other comprehensive income/ (loss)	78
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(16)							(16)
Restricted stock awarded			(2)			2
Stock-based compensation	10		10				10
Common stock issued	2		1			1	2
Common stock repurchased	(7)		(6)			(1)	(7)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	(82)	929	866	581	(2,515)	(185)	(324)	242
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	123	929	668	1,069	(2,614)	(214)	(162)	285
Net income	67
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	26							26
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	41			41			41
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)					(17)		(17)
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests								(3)
Total other comprehensive income/ (loss)	(20)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(8)							(8)
Restricted stock awarded			(2)			2
Stock-based compensation	10		10				10
Common stock issued	8		6			2	8
Common stock repurchased	(6)		(5)			(1)	(6)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(10)		(2)				(2)	(8)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 164	$ 929	$ 675	$ 1,110	$ (2,631)	$ (211)	$ (128)	$ 292