Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,084			$ 3,174			$ 8,874	$ 8,417
Cost of products sold, excluding depreciation and amortization	2,455			2,530			7,082	6,804
Depreciation and amortization	121			127			366	305
Selling and administrative expense	156			153			470	402
Restructuring and other	0			(1)			(41)	28
Income from operations	352			365			997	878
Loss from early extinguishments of debt	0			0			6	0
Other pension and postretirement	1			(13)			12	(47)
Interest expense	95			105			290	282
Interest income	(5)			(6)			(12)	(17)
Foreign exchange	4			(14)			6	14
Income before income taxes	257			293			695	646
Provision for income taxes	54			102			190	196
Equity earnings / (loss) in affiliates	1			2			4	3
Net income	204	$ 174	$ 131	193	$ 147	$ 113	509	453
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)			(29)			(86)	(67)
Net income attributable to Crown Holdings	$ 183			$ 164			$ 423	$ 386
Earnings per common share attributable to Crown Holdings:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.37			$ 1.23			$ 3.16	$ 2.89
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.36			$ 1.23			$ 3.14	$ 2.88