Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,794	$ 2,656
Restricted cash	1,151	2,682
Investments	9,945	8,337
Other assets	1,350	1,461
Total Assets	24,639	23,489
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,453	1,012
Debt	8,192	7,326
Total liabilities	13,697	10,509
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Limited partners: Depositary units: 214,078,558 and 191,366,097 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	6,268	7,350
General partner	(812)	(790)
Total Liabilities and Equity	24,639	23,489
Icahn Enterprises (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investments in subsidiaries, net	11,853	12,189
Total Assets	11,853	12,189
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	100	124
Debt	6,297	5,505
Total liabilities	6,397	5,629
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Limited partners: Depositary units: 214,078,558 and 191,366,097 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	6,268	7,350
General partner	(812)	(790)
Total equity	5,456	6,560
Total Liabilities and Equity	11,853	12,189
Icahn Enterprises Holdings (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	1,042	30
Restricted cash	7	29
Investments	346	723
Other assets	0	60
Investments in subsidiaries, net	10,474	11,355
Total Assets	11,869	12,197
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	116	131
Debt	6,300	5,509
Total liabilities	6,416	5,640
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Limited partners: Depositary units: 214,078,558 and 191,366,097 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	6,328	7,421
General partner	(875)	(864)
Total equity	5,453	6,557
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 11,869	$ 12,197