Additional debt incurred by newly capitalized entity

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Amount paid for management contract between related parties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Amountpaidformanagementcontractbetweenrelatedparties
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash contribution to newly capitalized entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Cashcontributiontonewlycapitalizedentity
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash distributed by newly capitalized entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Funding Commitment, Total Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_FundingCommitmentTotalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Investment in funds

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_InvestmentInFunds
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Non-cash investment segment contribution

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Non-cash Investment segment contribution (derivative liability shares transferred)

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_NoncashInvestmentsegmentcontributionderivativeliabilitysharestransferred
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Note receivable contribution to newly capitalized entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Notereceivablecontributiontonewlycapitalizedentity
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Option to purchase additinal railcars, number of cars

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Optiontopurchaseadditinalrailcarsnumberofcars
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Option to purchase additional railcars

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Optiontopurchaseadditionalrailcars
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Shares contributed by non-controlling interest in subidiary

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Otherownershipinterestsshares
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in subsidiary, value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_OtherOwnershipInterestValue
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage fair value of investments in Funds that is attributable to Mr. Icahn

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_PercentagefairvalueofinvestmentsinFundsthatisattributabletoMr.Icahn
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchase price of railcars

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Railcars purchased

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	iep_Railcarspurchased
Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of interest income earned from interest-bearing assets owed to the entity by related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Trading Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph a, f, g

-Article 7

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

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

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, reflects the carrying amount of unpaid loan amounts due from related parties at the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph e

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group.

+ References

Reference 1: 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_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

+ Details

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

- Definition

Expenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income realized from sales and other transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Identify the stated interest rate per the agreement, for example, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held in the subsidiary by the limited liability company or limited partnership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the unrecorded obligation to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices (for example, as in take-or-pay contracts or throughput contracts).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 440

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25336-109308

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The minimum number of units that must be purchased, in connection with an unconditional purchase obligation that has not been recognized for financial reporting purposes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationMinimumQuantityRequired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_AEPLeasingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_AriMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_ArlMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_FederalMogulMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_IcahnCapitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_IepEnergyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=iep_InvestmentFundsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	iep_MembersOrPartnersAxis=iep_PrincipalOwnersAndAffiliatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=iep_PurchaseofrailcarsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=iep_RailcarSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=iep_InsightPortfolioGroupLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=iep_InvestmentSegmentMember
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:

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 29, 2004	Jun. 30, 2014	May 07, 2012	Oct. 02, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2013	Dec. 06, 2013	Aug. 24, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 24, 2004
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash investment segment contribution	$ 0	$ 185,000,000	$ 0
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	0	279,000,000	0
Insight Portfolio Group LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	2,000,000	2,000,000
Icahn Capital [Member] \| Investment Funds [Member] \| Expense Sharing Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses charged by related party	155,000,000	113,000,000	23,000,000
Federal-Mogul [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of equity ownership in subsidiary	80.70%
Federal-Mogul [Member] \| Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Funding Commitment, Total Amount										1,600,000,000
IEP Energy [Member] \| Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in subsidiary (Shares)						4,566,546					3,288,371
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in subsidiary						137,000,000
ARL [Member] \| Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties												171,000,000	165,000,000
Interest Income, Related Party		6,000,000	8,000,000
Related Party Transaction, Rate				1.75%
Investment Funds [Member] \| Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in funds	500,000,000	45,000,000
Investments, fair value	4,800,000,000	4,700,000,000
Percentage fair value of investments in Funds that is attributable to Mr. Icahn	53.00%	56.00%
ARI [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of equity ownership in subsidiary	55.60%
AEP Leasing [Member] \| ACF [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Option to purchase additinal railcars, number of cars	500
Option to purchase additional railcars	70,000,000
Railcars purchased					296
Purchase price of railcars					43,000,000
Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Affiliate ownership interest in Icahn Enterprises	88.40%
Principal Owners and Affiliates [Member] \| IEP Energy [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Affiliate ownership interest in Icahn Enterprises						6.40%
Railcar Sales [Member] \| ARI [Member] \| ACF [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	19,000,000	12,000,000
Railcar Sales [Member] \| AEP Leasing [Member] \| ACF [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	127,000,000	57,000,000
Purchase of railcars [Member] \| AEP Leasing [Member] \| ACF [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	1,050
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	150,000,000
Investment Segment [Member] \| Koala [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash Investment segment contribution (derivative liability shares transferred)		7,700,000
Non-cash investment segment contribution		185,000,000
Railcar Segment [Member] \| American Entertainment Properties Corp. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount paid for management contract between related parties							21,000,000
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture							279,000,000
Railcar Segment [Member] \| ARL [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash contribution to newly capitalized entity							71,000,000
Note receivable contribution to newly capitalized entity							171,000,000
Additional debt incurred by newly capitalized entity								381,000,000
Cash distributed by newly capitalized entity								$ 381,000,000
Railcar Segment [Member] \| New ARL [Member] [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of equity ownership in subsidiary									75.00%