Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest and dividend income	$ 169	$ 265	$ 148
Net (loss) gain from investment activities	(1,421)	(1,931)	322
(Loss) gain on disposition of assets, net	(17)	253	84
Other income, net	(31)	19
Total revenues	6,123	8,994	11,777
Other expenses from operations	487	528	538
Interest expense	688	605	524
Selling, general and administrative	1,191	1,375	1,386
Total Expenses	8,707	10,733	11,554
Net (loss) income	(2,468)	(1,791)	2,001
Limited partners	(1,620)	(1,076)	2,039
General partner	(33)	(22)	(557)
Icahn Enterprises (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	(4)	2
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries	(1,307)	(750)	1,819
Interest expense	(342)	(350)	(337)
Net (loss) income	(1,653)	(1,098)	1,482
Limited partners	(1,620)	(1,076)	2,039
General partner	(33)	(22)	(557)
Icahn Enterprises Holdings (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest and dividend income	1	14	7
Net (loss) gain from investment activities	(66)	(377)	(389)
(Loss) gain on disposition of assets, net	7	2	23
Equity in (loss) income of subsidiaries	(1,237)	(363)	2,200
Other income, net	7		4
Total revenues	(1,288)	(724)	1,845
Other expenses from operations	2
Interest expense	341	350	337
Selling, general and administrative	21	23	25
Total Expenses	364	373	362
Net (loss) income	(1,652)	(1,097)	1,483
Limited partners	(1,635)	(1,086)	2,060
General partner	$ (17)	$ (11)	$ (577)