v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 01, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding 416,000,000   415,000,000
Entity Registrant Name CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP    
Entity Central Index Key 0001051470    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Document Type 10-Q    
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2019    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   415,741,235  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Small Business false