Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (2,127)	$ (529)	$ 2,444
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	1,737	(614)	(3,754)
Purchases of securities	(6,552)	(6,523)	(7,425)
Proceeds from sales of securities	4,281	5,079	4,664
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(577)	(980)	(46)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	952	342	365
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	2,085	2,888	2,715
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2	162	0
Depreciation and amortization	863	809	742
Impairment	788	135	16
Deferred taxes	(30)	(191)	(157)
Other, net	(58)	(2)	73
Changes in cash held at consolidated affiliated partnerships and restricted cash	168	(1,045)	591
Accounts receivable, net	43	103	26
Inventories, net	(74)	82	39
Other assets	(234)	(136)	(154)
Accounts payable	(32)	(21)	31
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(521)	51	547
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	714	(390)	717
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,359)	(1,411)	(1,161)
Acquisition of ARL	0	0	(279)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(855)	(558)	(6)
Purchases of investments	(311)	(78)	(86)
Other, net	174	90	76
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,351)	(1,957)	(1,456)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Investment segment distributions	(36)	0	(185)
Investment segment contributions	276	500	46
Partnership contributions	0	0	593
Partnership distributions	(116)	(125)	(51)
Proceeds from offering of subsidiary equity	31	188	1,308
Distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(252)	(642)	(379)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	0	4,991	493
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	0	(3,625)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,972	4,794	591
Repayments of borrowings	(972)	(4,031)	(1,526)
Other, net	(77)	(42)	18
Net cash provided by financing activities	826	2,008	908
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	(10)	(14)
Net change in cash of assets held for sale	(12)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(830)	(349)	155
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,908	3,257	3,102
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,078	2,908	3,257
Supplemental information:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	602	607	482
Net cash (receipts) payments for income taxes	(1)	115	126
Fair value of investment in Ferrous Resources prior to acquisition of a controlling interest	36	0	0
Distribution payable to Icahn Enterprises unitholders	0	0	142
Non-cash investment segment contribution	0	0	185
Non-cash capital expenditures additions included in liabilities	35	70	36
Icahn Enterprises Holdings [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	(2,126)	(528)	2,444
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	1,737	(614)	(3,754)
Purchases of securities	(6,552)	(6,523)	(7,425)
Proceeds from sales of securities	4,281	5,079	4,664
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(577)	(980)	(46)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	952	342	365
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	2,085	2,888	2,715
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2	162	0
Depreciation and amortization	862	808	742
Impairment	788	135	16
Deferred taxes	(30)	(191)	(157)
Other, net	(58)	(2)	73
Changes in cash held at consolidated affiliated partnerships and restricted cash	168	(1,045)	591
Accounts receivable, net	43	103	26
Inventories, net	(74)	82	39
Other assets	(234)	(136)	(154)
Accounts payable	(32)	(21)	31
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(521)	51	547
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	714	(390)	717
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,359)	(1,411)	(1,161)
Acquisition of ARL	0	0	(279)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(855)	(558)	(6)
Purchases of investments	(311)	(78)	(86)
Other, net	174	90	76
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,351)	(1,957)	(1,456)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Investment segment distributions	(36)	0	(185)
Investment segment contributions	276	500	46
Partnership contributions	0	0	593
Partnership distributions	(116)	(125)	(51)
Proceeds from offering of subsidiary equity	31	188	1,308
Distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(252)	(642)	(379)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	0	4,991	493
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	0	(3,625)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,972	4,794	591
Repayments of borrowings	(972)	(4,031)	(1,526)
Other, net	(77)	(42)	18
Net cash provided by financing activities	826	2,008	908
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	(10)	(14)
Net change in cash of assets held for sale	(12)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(830)	(349)	155
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,908	3,257	3,102
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,078	2,908	3,257
Supplemental information:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	602	607	482
Net cash (receipts) payments for income taxes	(1)	115	126
Fair value of investment in Ferrous Resources prior to acquisition of a controlling interest	36	0	0
Distribution payable to Icahn Enterprises unitholders	0	0	142
Non-cash investment segment contribution	0	0	185
Non-cash capital expenditures additions included in liabilities	$ 35	$ 70	$ 36