Consolidated Statement Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total	Series A Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net [Member]	Total Celanese Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance as of the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,341	$ 0	$ (860)	$ 627	$ 2,424	$ (850)		$ 0
Balance as of the beginning of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		156,463,811	22,921,294
Stock-based compensation, net of tax				15
Stock option exercises, shares		3,515,105
Stock option exercises, net of tax		0		89
Purchases of treasury stock, shares		(853,388)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees		0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	853,388		853,388
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(37)		(37)
Stock awards, shares		102,693
Stock awards		0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	510				510
Series A common stock dividends					(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	28					28
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0							0
Balance as of the end of the period at Sep. 30, 2012	1,915	0	(897)	731	2,903	(822)		0
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,915						$ 1,915
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		159,228,221	23,774,682