Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net sales	$ 5,389	$ 5,674	$ 6,802
Cost of sales	(3,984)	(4,356)	(5,186)
Gross profit	1,405	1,318	1,616
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(416)	(506)	(758)
Amortization of intangible assets	(9)	(11)	(20)
Research and development expenses	(78)	(119)	(86)
Other (charges) gains, net	(11)	(351)	15
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	(1)	4	(2)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	3	(9)	(7)
Operating profit (loss)	893	326	758
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	155	181	246
Interest expense	(120)	(119)	(147)
Refinancing expense	(6)	0	(29)
Interest income	2	1	1
Dividend income - cost investments	108	107	116
Other income (expense), net	(2)	(8)	(4)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	1,030	488	941
Income tax (provision) benefit	(122)	(201)	(314)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	908	287	627
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	(3)	(3)	(11)
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	1	1	4
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2)	(2)	(7)
Net earnings (loss)	906	285	620
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6)	19	4
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	900	304	624
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
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 6.22	$ 2.03	$ 4.07
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.04)
Net earnings (loss) - basic	6.21	2.02	4.03
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	6.19	2.01	4.04
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.04)
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 6.18	$ 2.00	$ 4.00
Weighted average shares - basic	144,939,433	150,838,050	155,012,370
Weighted average shares - diluted	145,668,181	152,287,955	156,166,993