Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,071	$ 2,278	$ 2,963	$ 2,256
Other assets	874	612
Total Assets	24,556	25,136
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,496	1,317
Debt	8,548	6,473
Total liabilities	14,783	17,303
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Limited partners: Depositary units: 104,850,813 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 (including 621,064 units issued as a unit distribution on November 30, 2012, 627,651 units issued as a unit distribution on August 31, 2012, 532,190 units issued as a unit distribution on May 31, 2012 and 619,585 units issued as a unit distribution on March 30, 2012) and 86,708,914 units issued and 85,571,714 units outstanding at December 31, 2011	4,913	4,038
General partner	(244)	(271)
Treasury units at cost: 1,137,200 depositary units at December 31, 2011	0	(12)
Total equity	9,773	7,833	7,894	7,119
Total Liabilities and Equity	24,556	25,136
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	3,071	2,278	2,963	2,256
Other assets	888	623
Total Assets	24,570	25,147
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,496	1,317
Debt	8,540	6,463
Total liabilities	14,775	17,293
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Limited partners: Depositary units: 104,850,813 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 (including 621,064 units issued as a unit distribution on November 30, 2012, 627,651 units issued as a unit distribution on August 31, 2012, 532,190 units issued as a unit distribution on May 31, 2012 and 619,585 units issued as a unit distribution on March 30, 2012) and 86,708,914 units issued and 85,571,714 units outstanding at December 31, 2011	4,984	4,087
General partner	(293)	(311)
Total equity	9,795	7,854	7,914	7,274
Total Liabilities and Equity	24,570	25,147
Parent Company [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	8,918	6,940
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	9	10
Total Assets	8,927	6,950
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	132	95
Debt	4,126	3,100
Total liabilities	4,258	3,195
Limited partners: Depositary units: 104,850,813 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 (including 621,064 units issued as a unit distribution on November 30, 2012, 627,651 units issued as a unit distribution on August 31, 2012, 532,190 units issued as a unit distribution on May 31, 2012 and 619,585 units issued as a unit distribution on March 30, 2012) and 86,708,914 units issued and 85,571,714 units outstanding at December 31, 2011	4,913	4,038
General partner	(244)	(271)
Total equity	4,669	3,755
Total Liabilities and Equity	8,927	6,950
Parent Company [Member] | Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	107	24	204	82
Total Assets	8,961	6,987
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	134	99
Debt	4,136	3,112
Total liabilities	4,270	3,211
Limited partners: Depositary units: 104,850,813 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 (including 621,064 units issued as a unit distribution on November 30, 2012, 627,651 units issued as a unit distribution on August 31, 2012, 532,190 units issued as a unit distribution on May 31, 2012 and 619,585 units issued as a unit distribution on March 30, 2012) and 86,708,914 units issued and 85,571,714 units outstanding at December 31, 2011	4,984	4,087
General partner	(293)	(311)
Total equity	4,691	3,776
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 8,961	$ 6,987