Debt Narrative - Debt and Credit Facilities - Energy (Details) - Energy Segment [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 10, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 13, 2011
CVR Refining Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility borrowing capacity		$ 323	$ 323
Letters of credit outstanding amount		28	28
Line of credit facility amount outstanding		0	0
CVR Partners 2011 Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility amount outstanding		0	0
Debt				$ 125
CVR Partners 2023 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 645
Interest rate	9.25%
Discount on debt	$ 16
Proceeds from issuance of debt	623
CVR Nitrogen 2021 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 320	4	4
Interest rate	6.50%
Face value of repurchased debt	$ 315
Amount paid for repurchased debt	320
Premium paid on repurchased debt	5
Interest paid on repurchased debt	$ 3
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(5)	(5)
CVR Partners 2016 Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility borrowing capacity		50	50
Additional borrowing availability			25
Line of credit facility unused borrowing availability		48	48
Line of credit facility amount outstanding		$ 0	$ 0