Organization and Basis of Presentation - Properties Owned by Operating Partnership (Details)	Jun. 30, 2018 property associated_center mixed_use_center office_building mall community_center
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Malls \| mall	68
Associated Centers \| associated_center	23
Community Centers \| community_center	8
Office Buildings	5
Total Properties \| property	104
Consolidated Properties
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Malls \| mall	60
Associated Centers \| associated_center	20
Community Centers \| community_center	4
Office Buildings	5
Total Properties \| property	89
Number of mixed-use centers owned \| mixed_use_center	1
Consolidated Properties \| CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Office Buildings	2
Unconsolidated Properties
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Malls \| mall	8
Associated Centers \| associated_center	3
Community Centers \| community_center	4
Office Buildings	0
Total Properties \| property	15

Number of associated centers in which interest is owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of community center properties in which interest is owned as of the balance sheet date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of office buildings in which interest is owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of regional malls/open air centers in which interest is owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of mixed-use centers owned

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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