Use of portion of debt proceeds

No definition available.

Name:	iep_UseOfPortionOfDebtProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=iep_HoldingCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_A2022NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_Additional2020NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_A2020NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_A2019NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_A2017NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_A20102012NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

Debt Narrative - Senior Unsecured Notes - Icahn Enterprises and Icahn Enterprises Holdings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2014	Jan. 21, 2014	Aug. 02, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 01, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				$ (2)	$ (162)	$ 0
Holding Company [Member] \| 5.875% senior unsecured notes due 2022 - Icahn Enterprises/Icahn Enterprises Holdings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility	$ 1,350
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	$ 1,340
Holding Company [Member] \| Additional 2020 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility		$ 1,200
Interest rate, long-term debt	5.875%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		$ 1,217
Holding Company [Member] \| 6.00% senior unsecured notes due 2020 - Icahn Enterprises/Icahn Enterprises Holdings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility							$ 500
Interest rate, long-term debt		6.00%					6.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 493
Holding Company [Member] \| 4.875% senior unsecured notes due 2019 - Icahn Enterprises/Icahn Enterprises Holdings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility		$ 1,275
Interest rate, long-term debt		4.875%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		$ 1,269
Holding Company [Member] \| 3.50% senior unsecured notes due 2017 - Icahn Enterprises/Icahn Enterprises Holdings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility		$ 1,175
Interest rate, long-term debt		3.50%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		$ 1,169
Holding Company [Member] \| 2010-2012 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Use of portion of debt proceeds		$ 3,500
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ (108)