Consolidated Statements of 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), Net [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance as of the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2011				$ 0	$ (860)	$ 627	$ 1,664	$ (90)	$ 0
Balance as of the beginning of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2011				156,463,811	22,921,294
Stock option exercises, shares				3,751,825
Stock option exercises, net of tax	110			0		92
Purchases of treasury stock, shares				(1,065,542)
Purchases of treasury stock				0
Stock awards, shares				492,307
Stock awards				0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	1,059,719	[1]			1,065,542
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(45)				(45)
Retirement of treasury stock, shares					0
Retirement of treasury stock					0	0
Stock-based compensation, net of tax						12
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	372						372
Series A common stock dividends							(43)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1							1
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0								0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests									0
Balance as of the end of the period at Dec. 31, 2012	1,730			0	(905)	731	1,993	(89)	0
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2012			1,730
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				159,642,401	23,986,836
Stock option exercises, shares				283,682
Stock option exercises, net of tax	6			0		11
Purchases of treasury stock, shares				(3,192,201)
Purchases of treasury stock				0
Stock awards, shares				205,946
Stock awards				0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	3,186,180	[1]			3,192,201
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(164)				(164)
Retirement of treasury stock, shares					(18,250,900)
Retirement of treasury stock					(708)	(708)
Stock-based compensation, net of tax						19
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	1,101						1,101
Series A common stock dividends							(83)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	85							85
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0								0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests									0
Balance as of the end of the period at Dec. 31, 2013	2,699			0	(361)	53	3,011	(4)	0
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2013	2,699		2,699
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2013				156,939,828	8,928,137
Stock option exercises, shares	202,000			202,121
Stock option exercises, net of tax	7			0		7
Purchases of treasury stock, shares				(4,338,488)
Purchases of treasury stock				0
Stock awards, shares				99,249
Stock awards				0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	4,338,488				4,338,488
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(250)				(250)
Retirement of treasury stock, shares					0
Retirement of treasury stock					0	0
Stock-based compensation, net of tax						43
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	624						624
Series A common stock dividends							(144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(161)							(161)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4)								(4)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests									264
Balance as of the end of the period at Dec. 31, 2014	3,078			0	(611)	103	3,491	(165)	260
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,818		$ 2,818
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Dec. 31, 2014				152,902,710	13,266,625

[1] The years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 exclude 6,021 and 5,823 shares, respectively, withheld from an executive officer to cover statutory minimum withholding requirements for personal income taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the time of issuance. Accordingly, the shares withheld are treated as treasury shares.