Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,537	$ 5,655	$ 6,297
Cost of sales	(5,855)	(4,362)	(4,691)
Gross profit	2,682	1,293	1,606
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(633)	(482)	(483)
Amortization of intangible assets	(25)	(22)	(24)
Research and development expenses	(86)	(74)	(67)
Other (charges) gains, net	3	(39)	(203)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	2	(5)	7
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	3	(7)	(2)
Operating profit (loss)	1,946	664	834
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	146	134	182
Non-operating pension and other postretirement employee benefit (expense) income	106	17	(20)
Interest expense	(91)	(109)	(115)
Refinancing expense	(9)	0	(4)
Interest income	8	6	6
Dividend income - equity investments	147	126	113
Gain (loss) on sale of investments in affiliates	0	1,408	0
Other income (expense), net	(5)	5	(8)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	2,248	2,251	988
Income tax (provision) benefit	(330)	(247)	(124)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	1,918	2,004	864
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	(27)	(14)	(8)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	5	2	2
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(22)	(12)	(6)
Net earnings (loss)	1,896	1,992	858
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6)	(7)	(6)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	1,890	1,985	852
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	1,912	1,997	858
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(22)	(12)	(6)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	$ 1,890	$ 1,985	$ 852
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 17.19	$ 16.95	$ 6.93
Discontinued operations	(0.20)	(0.10)	(0.05)
Net earnings (loss) - basic	16.99	16.85	6.88
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	17.06	16.85	6.89
Discontinued operations	(0.20)	(0.10)	(0.05)
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 16.86	$ 16.75	$ 6.84
Weighted average shares - basic	111,224,017	117,817,445	123,925,697
Weighted average shares - diluted	112,084,412	118,481,376	124,651,759