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			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ (1,290)	$ (1,281)	[1]	$ (3,896)	$ (3,980)	[1]
Gross profit	346	328	[1]	998	937	[1]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(97)	(113)	[1]	(316)	(354)	[1]
Research and development expenses	(24)	(23)	[1]	(73)	(73)	[1]
Operating profit (loss)	211	176	[1]	564	465	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	228	186	[1]	654	584	[1]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(57)	(57)	[1]	(209)	(41)	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	171	129	[1]	445	543	[1]
Net earnings (loss)	172	127	[1]	447	541	[1]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	172	127	[1]	447	541	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 1.08	$ 0.81	[1]	$ 2.80	$ 3.43	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	[1]	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 1.09	$ 0.80	[1]	$ 2.81	$ 3.42	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 1.07	$ 0.80	[1]	$ 2.79	$ 3.40	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	[1]	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 1.08	$ 0.79	[1]	$ 2.80	$ 3.39	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		(1,285)			(3,992)
Gross profit		324			925
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(121)			(379)
Research and development expenses		(24)			(76)
Operating profit (loss)		163			425
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		173			544
Income tax (provision) benefit		(54)			(32)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		119			512
Net earnings (loss)		117			510
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		117			510
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 0.75			$ 3.24
Discontinued operations		$ (0.01)			$ (0.01)
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 0.74			$ 3.23
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 0.74			$ 3.21
Discontinued operations		$ (0.01)			$ (0.01)
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 0.73			$ 3.20
Effect of Change [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of sales		4			12
Gross profit		4			12
Selling, general and administrative expenses		8			25
Research and development expenses		1			3
Operating profit (loss)		13			40
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax		13			40
Income tax (provision) benefit		(3)			(9)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		10			31
Net earnings (loss)		10			31
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation		$ 10			$ 31
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations		$ 0.06			$ 0.19
Discontinued operations		$ 0			$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - basic		$ 0.06			$ 0.19
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations		$ 0.06			$ 0.19
Discontinued operations		$ 0			$ 0
Net earnings (loss) - diluted		$ 0.06			$ 0.19

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)