Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statement Equity - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	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, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		146,782,297	19,916,490
Balance as of the beginning of the period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 2,829
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2015	2,378	$ 0	$ (1,031)	$ 136	$ 3,621	$ (348)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 451						$ 451
Stock option exercises, shares		30,000
Stock option exercises, net of tax		$ 0		1
Purchases of treasury stock, shares		0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees		$ 0
Stock awards, shares		626,892
Stock awards		$ 0
Purchases of treasury stock, shares	0		0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	$ 0		$ 0
Stock-based compensation, net of tax				(12)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	257				257
Series A common stock dividends					(44)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	65					65
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2						2
Contributions from noncontrolling interests							0
Balance as of the end of the period, shares at Mar. 31, 2016		147,439,189	19,916,490
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Mar. 31, 2016	453						$ 453
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity at Mar. 31, 2016	2,645	$ 0	$ (1,031)	$ 125	$ 3,834	$ (283)
Balance as of the end of the period at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 3,098