CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended								9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Preferred Stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Preferred Stock	Sep. 30, 2013 Common Stock	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock	Sep. 29, 2013 Paid-In Capital	Sep. 29, 2012 Paid-In Capital	Sep. 30, 2013 Paid-In Capital	Dec. 31, 2012 Paid-In Capital	Sep. 30, 2012 Paid-In Capital	Dec. 31, 2011 Paid-In Capital	Sep. 29, 2013 Retained Earnings	Sep. 29, 2012 Retained Earnings	Sep. 30, 2013 Retained Earnings	Dec. 31, 2012 Retained Earnings	Sep. 30, 2012 Retained Earnings	Dec. 31, 2011 Retained Earnings	Sep. 29, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 29, 2013 Treasury Stock - Common	Sep. 29, 2012 Treasury Stock - Common	Sep. 30, 2013 Treasury Stock - Common	Dec. 31, 2012 Treasury Stock - Common	Sep. 30, 2012 Treasury Stock - Common	Dec. 31, 2011 Treasury Stock - Common	Sep. 30, 2013 Parent	Sep. 30, 2012 Parent	Sep. 29, 2013 Non-Controlling Interest	Sep. 29, 2012 Non-Controlling Interest	Sep. 30, 2013 Non-Controlling Interest	Dec. 31, 2012 Non-Controlling Interest	Sep. 30, 2012 Non-Controlling Interest	Dec. 31, 2011 Non-Controlling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 3,062	$ 3,062	$ 7	$ 7			$ 12,443	$ 12,293	$ 12,246	$ 12,146			$ 905	$ 437	$ 241	$ 1,608			$ (169)	$ (182)	$ (188)	$ (166)			$ (52)	$ (48)	$ (41)	$ (33)	$ 16,196	$ 15,327			$ 2,152	$ 2,327	$ 2,364	$ 1,337
Stock-based compensation					156	116
Reduction in tax benefit from stock-based compensation					(10)	(18)
Exercise of stock options					4	2
Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake											840	(1,069)
Dividends on common stock											(175)	(170)
Dividends on preferred stock											(128)	(128)
Premium on purchase of preferred shares of a subsidiary											(69)	0
Hedging activity																	15	(15)
Investment activity																	(2)	(7)
Purchase of 249,498 and 357,565 shares for company benefit plans																							(6)	(9)
Release of 151,153 and 49,591 shares from company benefit plans																							2	1
Sales of noncontrolling interests																															5	1,056
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests																															127	131
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners																															(164)	(160)
Purchase of preferred shares of a subsidiary																															(143)	0
Balance, end of period	$ 3,062	$ 3,062	$ 7	$ 7			$ 12,443	$ 12,293	$ 12,246	$ 12,146			$ 905	$ 437	$ 241	$ 1,608			$ (169)	$ (182)	$ (188)	$ (166)			$ (52)	$ (48)	$ (41)	$ (33)	$ 16,196	$ 15,327			$ 2,152	$ 2,327	$ 2,364	$ 1,337