Consolidated Statement Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	Total		Total Celanese Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Series A Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance as of the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,730			$ 0	$ (905)	$ 731	$ 1,993	$ (89)	$ 0
Balance as of the beginning of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				159,642,401	23,986,836
Stock option exercises, shares				128,791
Stock option exercises, net of tax				0		3
Purchases of treasury stock, shares				(2,102,341)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees				0
Stock awards, shares				23,469
Stock awards				0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	2,096,320	[1]			2,102,341
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(102)				(102)
Stock-based compensation, net of tax						19
Net earnings (Loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	447						447
Series A common stock dividends							(55)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	42							42
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0								0
Balance as of the end of the period at Sep. 30, 2013	2,084			0	(1,007)	753	2,385	(47)	0
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 2,084		$ 2,084
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Sep. 30, 2013				157,692,320	26,089,177

[1] Excludes 6,021 shares withheld from employee to cover statutory minimum withholding requirements for personal income taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. Restricted stock is considered outstanding at the time of issuance and therefore, the shares withheld are treated as treasury shares.