Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,038		$ 2,075		$ 5,866		$ 6,003
Cost of sales	1,159		1,097		3,376		3,262
Gross margin	879		978		2,490		2,741
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	294		216		864		750
Research, development and engineering expenses	185		166		560		494
Amortization of purchased intangibles	4		4		13		11
Asbestos litigation charge	3	[1]	5	[1]	9	[1]	15	[1]
Operating income	393		587		1,044		1,471
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies (Note 8)	240		324		717		1,150
Interest income	3		6		10		15
Interest expense	(33)		(23)		(77)		(72)
Other income, net (Note 1)	5		27		42		97
Income before income taxes	608		921		1,736		2,661
Provision for income taxes (Note 4)	(87)		(110)		(291)		(347)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$ 521		$ 811		$ 1,445		$ 2,314
Earnings per common share attributable to Corning Incorporated:
Basic (Note 5)	$ 0.35		$ 0.52		$ 0.96		$ 1.48
Diluted (Note 5)	$ 0.35		$ 0.51		$ 0.95		$ 1.46
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.075		$ 0.05		$ 0.225		$ 0.15

[1] In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Corning recorded a charge of $3 million and $9 million, respectively, to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of the components of the Amended PCC Plan. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Corning recorded a charge of $5 million and $15 million, respectively, to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of the components of the Amended PCC Plan.