Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net income	$ 727	$ 1,764	$ 743
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net gain from securities transactions	(1,488)	(1,927)	(814)
Depreciation and amortization	575	447	463
Other, net	16	(20)	(11)
Net cash used in operating activities	1,514	1,995	41
Proceeds from sale of investments	202	154	4
Other, net	20	5	(9)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(2,279)	(614)	(311)
Partnership distributions	(41)	(48)	(85)
Partnership contributions	513	0	6
Proceeds from other borrowings	778	607	107
Repayments of borrowings	(663)	(675)	(1,389)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,543	(2,046)	983
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	793	(687)	707
Cash and cash equivalents	3,071	2,278	2,963
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Net income	728	1,765	746
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net gain from securities transactions	(1,488)	(1,927)	(814)
Depreciation and amortization	574	446	461
Other, net	16	(20)	(12)
Net cash used in operating activities	1,514	1,995	39
Proceeds from sale of investments	202	154	4
Other, net	20	5	(9)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(2,279)	(614)	(311)
Partnership distributions	(41)	(48)	(85)
Partnership contributions	513	0	6
Proceeds from other borrowings	778	607	107
Repayments of borrowings	(663)	(675)	(1,389)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,543	(2,046)	985
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	793	(687)	707
Cash and cash equivalents	3,071	2,278	2,963
Parent Company [Member]
Net income	396	750	199
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Preferred LP unit interest expense	0	0	2
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2	2	2
Amortization of debt discount	0	0	1
Equity in earnings of subsidiary	(680)	(974)	(431)
Net cash used in operating activities	(282)	(222)	(227)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(1,212)	270	(871)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,212)	270	(871)
Partnership distributions	(41)	(48)	(84)
Partnership contributions	505	0	3
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,030	0	2,499
Repayments of borrowings	0	0	(1,320)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,494	(48)	1,098
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Parent Company [Member] | Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Net income	397	751	202
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiary	(682)	(976)	(445)
Net gain from securities transactions	(8)	(7)	(2)
Depreciation and amortization	1	2	5
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	39
Other, net	14	0	26
Change in operating assets and liabilities	26	(10)	29
Net cash used in operating activities	(252)	(240)	(146)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(681)	109	(855)
Proceeds from sale of investments	30	0	65
Other, net	2	2	2
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(649)	111	(788)
Partnership distributions	(42)	(48)	(85)
Partnership contributions	0	0	3
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,030	0	2,487
Repayments of borrowings	(4)	(3)	(1,349)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	984	(51)	1,056
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	83	(180)	122
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 107	$ 24	$ 204