Debt Instrument, Debt Default Threshold, Minimum Loan Amount

No definition available.

Name:	cbl_DebtInstrumentDebtDefaultThresholdMinimumLoanAmount
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of credit facility payment restrictions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_LineOfCreditFacilityPaymentRestrictions
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of subsidiaries owned.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Associated Centers Securing Credit Facility, Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Associated Centers not Classified as Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Malls Securing Credit Facility, Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Malls not Classified as Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Mortgage Notes Receivable not Classified as Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Ownership Interest in Guarantor Subsidiary by Operating Partnership, Percent

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_OwnershipInterestinGuarantorSubsidiarybyOperatingPartnershipPercent
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of aggregate principal amount in forbearance agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_PercentageOfAggregatePrincipalAmountInForbearanceAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Quarterly Installment Payments on Debt

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_QuarterlyInstallmentPaymentsonDebt
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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

- Definition

Net increase or decrease in the carrying amount of the debt instrument for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6036836-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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

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

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding calculated at point in time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash payments for and related to principal collection on loans related to operating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnusualRiskOrUncertaintyByNatureAxis=cbl_A7375SeriesDCumulativeRedeemablePreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=cbl_FixedRateInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_SeniorNotesDue2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_PrimeRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=cbl_PostDefaultInterestRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_SecuredTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_SecuredLineofCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_NonRecourseLoansonOperatingPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Mortgage and Other Indebtedness, Net - Narrative (Details)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 06, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) mall associated_center subsidiary mortgage_note_receivable	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) mall associated_center subsidiary mortgage_note_receivable	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) mall associated_center subsidiary mortgage_note_receivable	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		4.41%	4.41%	4.41%	5.02%
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		$ 1,192,140,000	$ 1,192,140,000	$ 1,192,140,000	$ 847,275,000
Number of Malls Securing Credit Facility, Collateral \| mall		17	17	17
Number of Associated Centers Securing Credit Facility, Collateral \| associated_center		3	3	3
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries \| subsidiary		36	36	36
Ownership Interest in Guarantor Subsidiary by Operating Partnership, Percent		100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Line of credit facility payment restrictions				150,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Malls Securing Credit Facility, Collateral \| mall		17	17	17
Number of Associated Centers Securing Credit Facility, Collateral \| associated_center		3	3	3
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries \| subsidiary		36	36	36
Number of malls not classified as collateral for the secured credit facility \| mall		4	4	4
Number of associated centers not classified as collateral for the secured credit facility \| associated_center		2	2	2
Number of Mortgage Notes Receivable not Classified as Collateral \| mortgage_note_receivable		4	4	4
COVID-19
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, impact of uncetainity		$ 280,000,000	$ 280,000,000	$ 280,000,000
Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		5.31%	5.31%	5.31%	5.35%
Senior unsecured notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest payment		$ 11,813,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Dec. 31, 2023
Senior unsecured notes due 2023 \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000	$ 450,000,000
Senior unsecured notes due 2023 \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate principal amount in forbearance agreements		50.00%		50.00%
Senior unsecured notes due 2023 \| Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		5.25%	5.25%	5.25%	5.25%
Senior unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest payment		$ 18,594,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		625,000,000	$ 625,000,000	$ 625,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Dec. 31, 2026
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 625,000,000	$ 625,000,000	$ 625,000,000
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate principal amount in forbearance agreements		50.00%		50.00%
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		5.95%	5.95%	5.95%	5.95%
Line of Credit \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,185,000,000	$ 1,185,000,000	$ 1,185,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Jul. 31, 2023
Payment for loan			4,812,000	$ 4,812,000
Quarterly Installment Payments on Debt		35,000,000	35,000,000	35,000,000
Line of Credit \| Secured Debt \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		1,185,000,000	1,185,000,000	$ 1,185,000,000		$ 1,185,000,000
Line of Credit \| Secured Debt \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.00%
Line of Credit \| Minimum \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage				0.25%
Line of Credit \| Maximum \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage				0.35%
Line of Credit \| LIBOR Market Index Rate \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				2.25%
Line of Credit \| LIBOR Market Index Rate \| Minimum \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				1.00%
Line of Credit \| LIBOR Market Index Rate \| Maximum \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				1.25%
Line of Credit \| Federal Funds Rate \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				0.50%
Line of Credit \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				4.50%
Line of Credit \| Base Rate \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				4.50%
Line of Credit \| Base Rate \| Secured Debt \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual interest expense	$ 23,100,000
Line of Credit \| Prime Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				1.25%
Line of Credit \| Prime Rate \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				1.25%
Line of Credit \| Post-Default Rate \| Secured Debt \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	9.50%
Annual interest expense	$ 78,600,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 685,000,000	$ 685,000,000	$ 685,000,000
Secured Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		2.42%	2.42%	2.42%	3.94%
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		$ 447,500,000	$ 447,500,000	$ 447,500,000	$ 465,000,000
Secured Term Loan \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 447,500,000	$ 447,500,000	$ 447,500,000
Secured Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		2.42%	2.42%	2.42%	3.94%
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		$ 675,925,000	$ 675,925,000	$ 675,925,000	$ 310,925,000
Secured Line of Credit \| Guarantor Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		$ 675,925,000	$ 675,925,000	675,925,000
Non-Recourse Loans on Operating Properties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt default threshold, minimum loan amount (greater than)				$ 50,000
Non-Recourse Loans on Operating Properties \| Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		5.19%	5.19%	5.19%	5.27%