Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation (Schedule of Changes in Accounting Policy Regarding Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ (1,272)	$ (1,359)	[1]
Gross profit	333	274	[1]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(106)	(126)	[1]
Research and development expenses	(26)	(25)	[1]
Operating profit (loss)	184	111	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	218	120	[1]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(77)	73	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	141	193	[1]
Net earnings (loss)	142	193	[1]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	142	193	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.88	$ 1.23	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 0.89	$ 1.23	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.88	$ 1.21	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 0.89	$ 1.21	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		(1,363)
Gross profit		270
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(134)
Research and development expenses		(26)
Operating profit (loss)		98
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		107
Income tax (provision) benefit		76
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		183
Net earnings (loss)		183
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		183
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 1.17
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 1.17
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 1.15
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 1.15
Effect of Change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		4
Gross profit		4
Selling, general and administrative expenses		8
Research and development expenses		1
Operating profit (loss)		13
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		13
Income tax (provision) benefit		(3)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		10
Net earnings (loss)		10
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		$ 10
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 0.06
Discontinued operations		$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 0.06
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 0.06
Discontinued operations		$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 0.06

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)