Operating Units Investment Segment (Details) (Investment Funds [Member], USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Fair value of our interest in Funds of subsidiary	$ 2.5	$ 2.4
Investment in Funds [Member] \| Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Related party transaction, balance	$ 3.8	$ 3.5

The fair value of investment held in the subsidiary investment funds by the limited liability company or limited partnership.

No definition available.

Name:	iep_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterestFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant