Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,578	$ 2,815	$ 2,820	$ 2,363	$ 2,385	$ 2,334	$ 2,277	$ 2,310	$ 10,576	$ 9,306	$ 7,740
Gross margin on net sales	376	457	406	390	135	328	259	326
Total revenues	2,802	2,569	3,423	2,983	2,482	3,406	4,353	2,378	11,777	12,619	7,379
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(194)	(323)	421	378	138	790	1,637	(208)	282	2,357	(2,285)
Income from discontinued operations	1,376	176	167	45	59	39	88	48	1,764	234	65
Net income (loss)	1,182	(147)	588	423	197	829	1,725	(160)	2,046	2,591	(2,220)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	247	(273)	279	286	(101)	232	172	(142)	539	161	(1,092)
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises	$ 935	$ 126	$ 309	$ 137	$ 298	$ 597	$ 1,553	$ (18)	$ 1,507	$ 2,430	$ (1,128)
Basic income (loss) per LP unit:
Continuing operations	$ (2.28)	$ (0.20)	$ 0.86	$ 0.58	$ 1.61	$ 3.37	$ 9.04	$ (0.34)	$ (1.16)	$ 13.84	$ (8.07)
Discontinued operations	10.31	0.88	0.84	0.19	0.11	0.16	0.47	0.22	12.62	0.96	0.00
Basic income (loss) per LP unit	8.03	0.68	1.70	0.77	1.72	3.53	9.51	(0.12)	11.46	14.80	(8.07)
Diluted income (loss) per LP unit:
Continuing operations	(2.28)	(0.20)	0.86	0.58	1.61	3.37	9.04	(0.34)	(1.16)	13.84	(8.07)
Discontinued operations	10.31	0.88	0.84	0.19	0.11	0.16	0.47	0.22	12.62	0.96	0.00
Diluted income (loss) per LP unit	$ 8.03	$ 0.68	$ 1.70	$ 0.77	$ 1.72	$ 3.53	$ 9.51	$ (0.12)	$ 11.46	$ 14.80	$ (8.07)