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			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ (1,334)	$ (1,340)	[1]	$ (2,606)	$ (2,699)	[1]
Gross profit	319	335	[1]	652	609	[1]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(113)	(115)	[1]	(219)	(241)	[1]
Research and development expenses	(23)	(25)	[1]	(49)	(50)	[1]
Operating profit (loss)	169	178	[1]	353	289	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	208	278	[1]	426	398	[1]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(75)	(57)	[1]	(152)	16	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	133	221	[1]	274	414	[1]
Net earnings (loss)	133	221	[1]	275	414	[1]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	133	221	[1]	275	414	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.83	$ 1.40	[1]	$ 1.71	$ 2.63	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	[1]	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 0.83	$ 1.40	[1]	$ 1.72	$ 2.63	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.83	$ 1.38	[1]	$ 1.71	$ 2.60	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	[1]	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 0.83	$ 1.38	[1]	$ 1.72	$ 2.60	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		(1,344)			(2,707)
Gross profit		331			601
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(124)			(258)
Research and development expenses		(26)			(52)
Operating profit (loss)		164			262
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		264			371
Income tax (provision) benefit		(54)			22
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		210			393
Net earnings (loss)		210			393
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		210			393
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 1.33			$ 2.50
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00			$ 0.00
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 1.33			$ 2.50
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 1.31			$ 2.47
Discontinued operations		$ 0.00			$ 0.00
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 1.31			$ 2.47
Effect of Change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		4			8
Gross profit		4			8
Selling, general and administrative expenses		9			17
Research and development expenses		1			2
Operating profit (loss)		14			27
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		14			27
Income tax (provision) benefit		(3)			(6)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		11			21
Net earnings (loss)		11			21
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		$ 11			$ 21
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 0.07			$ 0.13
Discontinued operations		$ 0			$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 0.07			$ 0.13
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 0.07			$ 0.13
Discontinued operations		$ 0			$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 0.07			$ 0.13

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)