| 
           HUNTSMAN CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) 
        In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified  | 
        1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
      |
| DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends paid | $ 24 | $ 24 | $ 24 | $ 24 | $ 24 | $ 24 | $ 72 | $ 72 | ||
| Cash dividends paid (in dollars per share) | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.30 | $ 0.30 | 
| 
           Common stock 
         | 
        ||||||||||
| Amount authorized for repurchase of common stock | 100 | |||||||||
| Remaining amount of authorized repurchase of common stock | $ 50 | |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders, generally out of earnings. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The remaining repurchase amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan. No definition available. 
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