Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CVR and its direct and indirect subsidiaries including the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership, the Refining Partnership and their respective subsidiaries, as discussed further below. The ownership interests of noncontrolling investors in CVR's subsidiaries are recorded as a noncontrolling interest included as a separate component of equity for all periods presented. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2017 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in CVR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018 (the "2017 Form 10-K"). According to the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810, Consolidations, the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity's ("VIE") activities is required to consolidate the VIE; the primary beneficiary is identified as the enterprise that has a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE; limited partnerships and other similar entities are considered a VIE unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights; and an ongoing analysis is required to determine whether the variable interest gives rise to a controlling financial interest in the VIE, among other things. Management has determined that the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership are VIEs because the limited partners of CVR Refining and CVR Partners lack both substantive kick-out rights and participating rights. Based upon the general partner’s roles and rights as afforded by the partnership agreements and its exposure to losses and benefits of each of the partnerships through its significant limited partner interests, intercompany credit facilities, and services agreements, CVR determined that it is the primary beneficiary of both the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership. Based upon that determination, CVR consolidates both the Refining and Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnerships in its consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to fairly present the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, changes in equity for the three month period ended March 31, 2018 and cash flows of the Company for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2018 or any other interim or annual period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), creating a new topic, FASB ASC Topic 842, "Leases," which supersedes lease requirements in FASB ASC Topic 840, "Leases." The new standard revises accounting for operating leases by a lessee, among other changes, and requires a lessee to recognize a liability related to future lease payments and an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term in the balance sheet. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including disclosures regarding significant judgments made by management, will be required. The standard is effective for the first interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. At adoption, ASU 2016-02 will be applied using the modified retrospective application method and allows for certain practical expedients. The Company expects its assessment and implementation plan to be ongoing during 2018 and is currently unable to reasonably estimate the impact of adopting the new lease standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company currently believes the most significant change will relate to the recognition of right-of-use assets and leases liability on the balance sheet for existing long-term operating leases, the majority of which are railcar leases, and the potential recognition for agreements that do not currently meet the definition of a lease under ASC Topic 840, which will require an evaluation of the Company's unconditional purchase obligations primarily related to petroleum transportation and storage service agreements. The impact of the new standard on right-of-use assets, leases liability and related disclosures resulting from adoption of the new standard could be material.