Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total	Preferred stock	Series A common stock	Treasury stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	Total Celanese Corporation shareholders' equity	Noncontrolling interests
Balance as of the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 926	$ 0	$ 0	$ (829)	$ 574	$ 1,851	$ (670)		$ 0
Balance as of the beginning of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		0	155,759,293	22,269,278
Issuance of preferred stock, shares		0
Issuance of preferred stock		0
Stock-based compensation, net of tax					17
Stock option exercises, shares			781,705
Stock option exercises, net of tax			0		10
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	591,356		(591,356)	591,356
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(28)		0	28
Stock awards, shares			152,077
Stock awards			0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	512					512
Series A common stock dividends						(25)
Preferred stock dividends	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	44						44
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0								0
Balance as of the end of the period at Sep. 30, 2011	1,456	0	0	(857)	601	2,338	(626)		0
Total Celanese Corporation shareholders' equity at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,456							$ 1,456
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Sep. 30, 2011		0	156,101,719	22,860,634