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Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)
shares in Millions
 8 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
May 12, 2017
shares
Sep. 30, 2019
USD ($)
ReportableSegment
shares
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
shares
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
shares
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation [Abstract]          
Distribution of shares | shares 170.0        
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction 83.00%        
Number of reportable segments | ReportableSegment   2      
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Abstract]          
Past due balances reviewed individually (in days)   90 days      
Inventories [Abstract]          
Inventory replacement cost   $ 66,000,000 $ 70,000,000    
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]          
Litigation Settlement, Amount         $ 398,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash         $ 335,000,000
Restricted Investments, Current   24,000,000 30,000,000    
Available-for-sale securities, fair value   $ 334,000,000 342,000,000    
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]          
Cost incurred to obtain contract with customer amortization period of practical expedients   true      
Expenses reclassified to other net periodic benefit income       $ 4,000,000  
Recognition of investment gain within net interest and other expense   $ 7,000,000      
Expense Recognition [Abstract]          
Advertising costs   4,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000  
Research and development expense   $ 66,000,000 $ 73,000,000 $ 73,000,000  
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]          
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of earnings per share | shares   1.0 0.7 1.1  
ASC 606 [Member]          
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]          
Cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings   $ 0      
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]          
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]          
Unrealized gains on equity securities on reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings [1],[2]   $ 34,000,000      
Minimum [Member]          
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation [Abstract]          
Percentage of ownership under equity method   20.00%      
Leases [Abstract]          
Expected operating lease liabilities   $ 140,000,000      
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   3 years      
Minimum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   5 years      
Minimum [Member] | Customer and supplier relationships [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   3 years      
Minimum [Member] | Buildings [Member]          
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]          
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life   12 years      
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]          
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]          
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life   2 years      
Maximum [Member]          
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation [Abstract]          
Percentage of ownership under equity method   50.00%      
Leases [Abstract]          
Expected operating lease liabilities   $ 180,000,000      
Maximum [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 [Member]          
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]          
Cumulative-effect adjustment, reclassification from other current assets and deferred taxes to retained earnings   $ 1,000,000      
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   25 years      
Maximum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   25 years      
Maximum [Member] | Customer and supplier relationships [Member]          
Goodwill and other intangibles [Abstract]          
Useful life (in years)   24 years      
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]          
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]          
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life   35 years      
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]          
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]          
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life   25 years      
Ashland Limited Liability Company [Member]          
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation [Abstract]          
Ownership Percentage   100.00%      
[1] At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $410 million and $291 million, respectively, was comprised of net unrealized translation losses of $408 million and $328 million, respectively, net unrealized gains on investment securities of zero and $34 million, respectively, and unrecognized prior service costs as a result of certain employee benefit plan amendments of $2 million and unrecognized prior service credits of $3 million, respectively.
[2] Represents the cumulative-effect adjustment related to the adoption of the new guidance related to the accounting for equity securities and the tax effects of intercompany transfers during fiscal 2019.  See note A for more information