Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,610	$ 1,577
Receivables from customers, less allowances of $1 in 2020 and $1 in 2019 (M)	328	583
Other receivables (M)	29	349
Inventories (N)	1,488	1,607
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	217	285
Current assets of discontinued operations (C)	0	1,442
Total current assets	3,672	5,843
Properties, plants, and equipment, net (O)	2,592	2,629
Goodwill (A and P)	4,102	4,067
Deferred income taxes (I)	272	209
Intangibles, net (P)	571	599
Other noncurrent assets (A and Q)	234	316
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations (C)	0	3,899
Total assets	11,443	17,562
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, trade	599	976
Accrued compensation and retirement costs	205	285
Taxes, including income taxes	102	65
Accrued interest payable	89	112
Other current liabilities (A and Q)	289	229
Short-term debt (R and S)	376	1,034
Current liabilities of discontinued operations (C)	0	1,424
Total current liabilities	1,660	4,125
Long-term debt, less amount due within one year (R and S)	4,699	4,906
Accrued pension benefits (H)	985	1,030
Accrued other postretirement benefits (H)	198	200
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (A and Q)	324	438
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations (C)	0	2,258
Total liabilities	7,866	12,957
Contingencies and commitments (V)
Howmet Aerospace shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock (J)	55	55
Common stock (J)	433	433
Additional capital (J)	4,668	7,319
Retained earnings (A)	364	113
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (A and L)	(1,943)	(3,329)
Total Howmet Aerospace shareholders’ equity	3,577	4,591
Noncontrolling interests	0	14
Total equity	3,577	4,605
Total liabilities and equity	$ 11,443	$ 17,562