Entity Central Index Key This element represent s the fair value of deferred compensation agreements. This element represents the fair value of investments of a captive insurance company. Represents the original cost of available-for-sale securities. Amount of accumulated investment income, realized gains, disbursements and settlements recorded in previous periods. The change in unrealized holding gain (loss) including reclassifications of realized gains (losses) out of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, on available-for-sale securities included in a separate component of shareholders' equity during the period. Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Other net periodic benefit income. Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Sales Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax Cost of sales Cost Of Revenue Gross profit Gross Profit Selling, general and administrative expense Selling General And Administrative Expense Research and development expense Research And Development Expense Equity and other income Other Operating Income Operating income Operating Income Loss Net interest and other financing expense Interest Income Expense Net Other net periodic benefit income Other Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Income Expense Net loss on acquisitions and divestitures Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense (benefit) Income Tax Expense Benefit Income (loss) from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Net income (loss) Profit Loss Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) attributable to Ashland Net Income Loss PER SHARE DATA Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Abstract] Basic earnings per share - Note L Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract] Income (loss) from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Ashland Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share Net income (loss) attributable to Ashland Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted earnings per share - Note L Earnings Per Share Diluted [Abstract] Income (loss) from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Ashland Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share Net income (loss) attributable to Ashland Earnings Per Share Diluted COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax [Abstract] Net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Unrealized translation gain (loss) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Net change in available-for-sale securities Net Change In Available For Sale Securities Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ashland Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable Net Current Inventories - Note F Inventory Net Other assets Other Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current Noncurrent assets Assets Noncurrent [Abstract] Property, plant and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net [Abstract] Cost Property Plant And Equipment Gross Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Net property, plant and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net Goodwill - Note G Goodwill Intangibles - Note G Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill Restricted investments - Note E Restricted Cash And Investments Noncurrent Asbestos insurance receivable - Note K Insurance Settlements Receivable Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Noncurrent Other assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total noncurrent assets Assets Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Short-term debt - Note H Short Term Borrowings Trade and other payables Accounts Payable Current Accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current Noncurrent liabilities Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt - Note H Long Term Debt Noncurrent Asbestos litigation reserve - Note K Litigation Reserve Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Employee benefit obligations - Note J Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total noncurrent liabilities Liabilities Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies - Note K Commitments And Contingencies Stockholders’ equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Paid-in capital [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income (loss) Net income Other comprehensive loss Regular dividends, $0.70 per common share Dividends Common Stock Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation Ending Balance Dividends on common stock Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Unrecognized prior service credits Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax Net unrealized translation loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Available-for-sale securities unrealized gain Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Common shares issued (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Distributions from affiliates. Amount of dividend, interest income and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash flows from operating activities Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Original issue discount and debt issuance costs amortization Amortization Of Financing Costs Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits Distributions from affiliates Distributions From Affiliates Stock based compensation expense Share Based Compensation Excess tax benefit on stock based compensation Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Loss on early retirement of debt Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt Realized gains and investment income on available-for-sale securities Gain On Available For Sale Securities Net loss on acquisitions and divestitures Gain Loss On Sale Of Business Pension contributions Pension Contributions Gain on post-employment plan remeasurement Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss Change in operating assets and liabilities Increase Decrease In Operating Capital Total cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Additions to property, plant and equipment Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment Purchase of operations - net of cash acquired Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Proceeds from sale of operations Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested Life insurance payments Payments To Acquire Life Insurance Policies Net purchase of funds restricted for specific transactions Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash And Investments Reimbursement from restricted investments Decrease In Restricted Cash Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Purchase of available-for-sale securities Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities Proceeds from the settlement of derivative instruments Proceeds From Hedge Investing Activities Payments for the settlement of derivative instruments Payments For Hedge Investing Activities Total cash flows used by investing activities from continuing operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt Repayment of long-term debt Repayments Of Long Term Debt Premium on long-term debt Payments Of Debt Extinguishment Costs Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term debt Proceeds From Repayments Of Short Term Debt Debt issuance costs Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs Cash dividends paid Payments Of Dividends Common Stock Stock based compensation employee withholding taxes paid in cash Payments Related To Tax Withholding For Share Based Compensation Total cash flows provided (used) by financing activities from continuing operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS Net Cash Provided By Used In Continuing Operations Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Operating cash flows Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations Investing cash flows Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations Financing cash flows Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations Total cash used by discontinued operations Net Cash Provided By Used In Discontinued Operations Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Including Discontinued Operations Change in cash and cash equivalents held by Valvoline Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Cash CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Description of the separation of Valvoline and Ashland and the impact that the separation has on Ashland's Consolidated Financial Statements. Equity [Abstract] Valvoline V A L V O L I N E [Text Block] Description of completed or expected disposal(s) group, the gain or loss recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain or loss, amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in earnings, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Business Combinations [Abstract] Acquisitions and Divestitures Divestitures [Text Block] Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract] Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Litigation, Claims and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Equity Items Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract] Stock Incentive Plans Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Reportable Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Security Category Information By Category Of Debt Security [Axis] Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Categories of Investments Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Categories Of Investments [Domain] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Availableforsale Securities [Member] Trading securities debt. Trading Securities [Member] Trading Securities Debt [Member] Basis of Presentation Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Use of Estimates, Risk and Uncertainties Use Of Estimates New Accounting Standards New Accounting Pronouncements Policy Policy [Text Block]