| 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010 
         | 
      |
| Increase of capital expenditures in accounts payable | $ 31 | $ 16 | $ 14 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        |||
| Increase of capital expenditures in accounts payable | 31 | 16 | 14 | 
| Stock-based compensation | $ 26 | $ 22 | $ 24 | 
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Future cash outflow to pay for purchases of fixed assets that have occurred. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Costs and payments related to employee benefits and equity-based compensation, such as pension expense and contributions, other postretirement benefits expense and payments, stock or unit options expense, and amortization of restricted stock or unit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  |