Investments (Affiliate Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Corning's equity in earnings	$ 259		$ 428		$ 477		$ 826
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	785		1,209		1,569		2,350
Gross profit	540		892		1,064		1,747
Net income attributable	402		638		773		1,248
Corning's equity in earnings	193		325		376		624
Corning purchases	42		11		52		41
Dividends received					518		205
Royalty income from Samsung Corning Precision	21		64		43		125
Corning transfers of machinery and equipment at cost	25	[1]	27	[1]	40	[1]	61	[1]
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	1,571		1,668		3,093		3,247
Gross profit	395		533		732		1,072
Net income attributable	121		191		192		370
Corning's equity in earnings	61		95		96		186
Corning purchases	6		6		12		12
Dividends received			$ 65				$ 180

[1] Corning purchases machinery and equipment on behalf of Samsung Corning Precision to support its capital expansion initiatives. The machinery and equipment are transferred to Samsung Corning Precision at our cost basis.