Operating Units Investment Segment (Details) (Investment Funds [Member], USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Funds [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Fair value of our interest in Funds of subsidiary	$ 4.5	$ 4.3

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