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Debt Narrative - Reporting Segment Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 27, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts and premiums	$ 7	$ 5	$ 10
Energy Segment \| CVR 2022 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 500
Interest rate on debt instrument	6.50%
Energy Segment \| CVR Partners 2023 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	$ 645
Interest rate on debt instrument	9.25%
Energy Segment \| Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing availability on credit facilities	$ 443	444
Energy Segment \| CVR Refining credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding	7	6
Energy Segment \| CVR 2025 Notes [Member] \| Subsequent event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount				$ 600
Interest rate on debt instrument				5.25%
Energy Segment \| CVR 2028 Notes [Member] \| Subsequent event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount				$ 400
Interest rate on debt instrument				5.75%
Automotive Segment \| IEP Auto Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	382	370
Borrowing availability on credit facilities	107	90
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 41	$ 40
Weighted average interest rate on debt	4.15%	4.37%
Food Packaging Segment \| Viskase credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on debt instrument	5.19%	6.05%