v3.7.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Apr. 25, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document period end date Mar. 31, 2017  
Amendment flag false  
Document Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Current fiscal year end date --12-31  
Entity central index key 0001489393  
Entity current reporting status Yes  
Entity filer category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity registrant name LyondellBasell Industries N.V.  
Trading symbol LYB  
Entity voluntary filers No  
Entity well known seasoned issuer Yes  
Entity common stock shares outstanding   402,805,018