Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Net (loss) income	$ (2,150)	$ (940)	$ 541	$ 422	$ (1,102)	$ (627)	$ 1,123	$ 77	$ (2,127)	$ (529)	$ 2,444
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(2)	(162)	0
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions									1,737	(614)	(3,754)
Depreciation and amortization									(863)	(809)	(742)
Other, net									(58)	(2)	73
Net cash used in operating activities									714	(390)	717
Payments to Acquire Investments									311	78	86
Other, net									174	90	76
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(2,351)	(1,957)	(1,456)
Partnership distributions									(116)	(125)	(51)
Partnership contributions									0	0	593
Proceeds from other borrowings									1,972	4,794	591
Repayments of borrowings									(972)	(4,031)	(1,526)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									826	2,008	908
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									(830)	(349)	155
Cash and cash equivalents	2,078				2,908				2,078	2,908	3,257	$ 3,102
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Net (loss) income									(2,126)	(528)	2,444
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(2)	(162)	0
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions									1,737	(614)	(3,754)
Depreciation and amortization									(862)	(808)	(742)
Other, net									(58)	(2)	73
Net cash used in operating activities									714	(390)	717
Payments to Acquire Investments									311	78	86
Other, net									174	90	76
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(2,351)	(1,957)	(1,456)
Partnership distributions									(116)	(125)	(51)
Partnership contributions									0	0	593
Proceeds from other borrowings									1,972	4,794	591
Repayments of borrowings									(972)	(4,031)	(1,526)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									826	2,008	908
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									(830)	(349)	155
Cash and cash equivalents	2,078				2,908				2,078	2,908	3,257	$ 3,102
Parent Company [Member]
Net (loss) income									(1,194)	(373)	1,025
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred financing costs									1	1	2
Loss on extinguishment of debt									0	(108)	0
Equity in (income) loss of subsidiary									905	(27)	(1,327)
Net cash used in operating activities									(288)	(291)	(300)
Net investment in subsidiaries									404	(951)	(173)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									404	(951)	(173)
Partnership distributions									(116)	(125)	(51)
Partnership contributions									0	0	587
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	4,991	493
Repayments of borrowings									0	(3,624)	(556)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(116)	1,242	473
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0				0				0	0	0		$ 0
Parent Company [Member] | Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Net (loss) income									(1,193)	(372)	1,025
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt									0	(108)	0
Equity in (income) loss of subsidiary									903	(28)	(1,342)
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									2	5	(1)
Other, net									(16)	0	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities									(4)	(47)	18
Net cash used in operating activities									(308)	(334)	(300)
Net investment in subsidiaries									155	(661)	(128)
Payments to Acquire Investments									(96)	0	0
Other, net									28	9	4
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									87	(652)	(124)
Partnership distributions									(116)	(125)	(51)
Partnership contributions									0	0	593
Proceeds from other borrowings									0	4,991	493
Repayments of borrowings									0	(3,634)	(576)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(116)	1,232	459
Net change in cash and cash equivalents									(337)	246	35
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51				$ 388				$ 51	$ 388	$ 142		$ 107