Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (1,609)	$ 422
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	554	(525)
Purchases of securities	(329)	(283)
Proceeds from sales of securities	4,988	339
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(38)	(186)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	246	839
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	(4,928)	(560)
Depreciation and amortization	234	207
Impairment	577	1
Deferred taxes	(8)	5
Other, net	(19)	(24)
Changes in cash held at consolidated affiliated partnerships and restricted cash	532	(534)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	410	113
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	610	(186)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(210)	(363)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(952)	(305)
Net proceeds from business dispositions	0	15
Net proceeds from the sale and disposition of assets	6	80
Other, net	(22)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,178)	(573)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests	490	245
Partnership contribution	1	0
Proceeds from offering of subsidiary equity	0	20
Dividends and distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(19)	(48)
Proceeds from other borrowings	372	1,070
Repayments of other borrowings	(472)	(572)
Other, net	(8)	(13)
Net cash provided by financing activities	364	702
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10)	13
Net change in cash of assets held for sale	12	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(202)	(44)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,078	2,912
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,876	2,868
Supplemental information:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	226	200
Net cash payments (refunds) for income taxes	17	(38)
Distribution payable to Icahn Enterprises unitholders	202	188
Investment in Pep Boys prior to acquiring a controlling interest	160	0
Investment in Trump prior to acquiring a controlling interest	126	0
LP unit issuance for remaining 25% interest in ARL	35	0
Investment additions included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	50	0
Construction in progress additions included in accounts payable	33	22
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(1,609)	422
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	554	(525)
Purchases of securities	(329)	(283)
Proceeds from sales of securities	4,988	339
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(38)	(186)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	246	839
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	(4,928)	(560)
Depreciation and amortization	234	207
Impairment	577	1
Deferred taxes	(8)	5
Other, net	(19)	(24)
Changes in cash held at consolidated affiliated partnerships and restricted cash	532	(534)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	410	113
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	610	(186)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(210)	(363)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(952)	(305)
Net proceeds from business dispositions	0	15
Net proceeds from the sale and disposition of assets	6	80
Other, net	(22)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,178)	(573)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests	490	245
Partnership contribution	1	0
Proceeds from offering of subsidiary equity	0	20
Dividends and distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(19)	(48)
Proceeds from other borrowings	372	1,070
Repayments of other borrowings	(472)	(572)
Other, net	(8)	(13)
Net cash provided by financing activities	364	702
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10)	13
Net change in cash of assets held for sale	12	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(202)	(44)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,078	2,912
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,876	2,868
Supplemental information:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	226	200
Net cash payments (refunds) for income taxes	17	(38)
Distribution payable to Icahn Enterprises unitholders	202	188
Investment in Pep Boys prior to acquiring a controlling interest	160	0
Investment in Trump prior to acquiring a controlling interest	126	0
LP unit issuance for remaining 25% interest in ARL	35	0
Investment additions included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	50	0
Construction in progress additions included in accounts payable	$ 33	$ 22