<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.21.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>483</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>465</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>138</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>17</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capital</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/StatementCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCapital</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capital</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcern</Role>
      <ShortName>Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Revenues</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenues</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Dispositions and Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDispositionsAndHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Dispositions and Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterests</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareAndEarningsPerUnit</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncash Investing and Financing Activities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcernTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcern</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Revenues (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenuesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenues</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100340 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterestsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterests</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareAndEarningsPerUnitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareAndEarningsPerUnit</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100390 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivities</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation - Properties Owned by Operating Partnership (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationPropertiesOwnedByOperatingPartnershipDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation - Properties Owned by Operating Partnership (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcernNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern - Summary of Condensed Combined Financial Statement Information Debtors (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureChapter11CasesAndAbilityToContinueAsGoingConcernSummaryOfCondensedCombinedFinancialStatementInformationDebtorsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Chapter 11 Cases and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern - Summary of Condensed Combined Financial Statement Information Debtors (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets and Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesCarryingValueOfLongLivedAssetsAndInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets and Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Revenues - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenuesDisaggregationOfRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenuesRemainingPerformanceObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenuesRemainingPerformanceObligationsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenues - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Leases - Components of Rental Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesComponentsOfRentalRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Components of Rental Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLeasesFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Long-Lived Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsLongLivedAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Long-Lived Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Dispositions and Held for Sale- Summary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDispositionsAndHeldForSaleSummaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Dispositions and Held for Sale- Summary (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterestsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterestsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterestsUnconsolidatedAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Variable Interest Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndNoncontrollingInterestsVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests - Variable Interest Entities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Debt of Operating Partnership (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetDebtOfOperatingPartnershipDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Debt of Operating Partnership (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Senior Unsecured Notes, Unsecured Lines of Credit and Unsecured Term Loans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetSeniorUnsecuredNotesUnsecuredLinesOfCreditAndUnsecuredTermLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Senior Unsecured Notes, Unsecured Lines of Credit and Unsecured Term Loans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Summary of Non-recourse Loans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetSummaryOfNonRecourseLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Summary of Non-recourse Loans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net- Scheduled Principal Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMortgageAndOtherIndebtednessNetScheduledPrincipalPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net- Scheduled Principal Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Summary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSummaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Summary (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100640 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareAndEarningsPerUnitNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit - Schedule of Basic and Diluted EPU for Common and Special Common Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareAndEarningsPerUnitScheduleOfBasicAndDilutedEPUForCommonAndSpecialCommonUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share and Earnings per Unit - Schedule of Basic and Diluted EPU for Common and Special Common Units (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100670 - Disclosure - Contingencies - Litigation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesLitigationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies - Litigation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100680 - Disclosure - Contingencies - Environmental Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesEnvironmentalContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies - Environmental Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100690 - Disclosure - Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesGuaranteesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100700 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Summary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation - Summary (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100710 - Disclosure - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities - Summary (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesSummaryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncash Investing and Financing Activities - Summary (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100720 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cblproperties.com/20210630/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="cbl-10q_20210630.htm">cbl-10q_20210630.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-20210630.xsd</File>
    <File>cbl-20210630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cbl-20210630_def.xml</File>
    <File>cbl-20210630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cbl-20210630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>cbl-ex311_11.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex312_8.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex313_9.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex314_10.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex321_7.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex322_6.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex323_12.htm</File>
    <File>cbl-ex324_13.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
