Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance cost in an extinguishment of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ce_RefundingloanforpollutioncontrolandindustrialrevenuebondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ce_PollutionControlAndIndustrialRevenueBondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Pollution Control and Industrial Revenue Bonds) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Refinancing expense	$ 4		$ 0	$ 6	$ 0
Refunding loan for pollution control and industrial revenue bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross		$ 2
Pollution Control and Industrial Revenue Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Refinancing expense		$ 2