Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations		$ 902	$ 306	$ 631
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations		(2)	(2)	(7)
Net earnings (loss)		$ 900	$ 304	$ 624
Weighted average shares - basic		144,939,433	150,838,050	155,012,370
Incremental shares attributable to equity awards	[1]	728,748	1,449,905	1,154,623
Weighted average shares - diluted		145,668,181	152,287,955	156,166,993
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		836	2,903	0

[1] Excludes 836, 2,903 and 0 equity award shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as their effect would have been antidilutive.