Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 22, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ARCH COAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001037676
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,293,090