Business combination, commitment to purchase

No definition available.

Name:	iep_Businesscombinationcommitmenttopurchase
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Incremental percentage increase (decrease) in the stated rate on a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from entity's raising of capital via private rather than public placement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=iep_TRWMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=iep_UniSelectMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis=us-gaap_CommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_ClassA1NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=iep_ClassA2NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=iep_RailcarSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 20, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 06, 2015	Feb. 09, 2015
Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unit distribution declared per share	$ 1.50	$ 6.00
Common Stock [Member] \| Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unit distribution declared per share			$ 1.50
Railcar Segment [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)				5.00%
Railcar Segment [Member] \| Proceeds from debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement				626
TRW [Member] \| Automotive Segment [Member] \| Agreement to purchase business assets [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross					313
Uni-Select [Member] \| Automotive Segment [Member] \| Agreement to purchase business assets [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business combination, commitment to purchase						340
Class A-1 Notes [Member] \| Railcar Segment [Member] \| Proceeds from debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement				250
Interest rate, long-term debt				2.98%
Class A-2 Notes [Member] \| Railcar Segment [Member] \| Proceeds from debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement				376
Interest rate, long-term debt				4.06%