Investments (Affiliate Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Corning's equity in earnings	$ 240		$ 324		$ 717		$ 1,150
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	783		954		2,352		3,304
Gross profit	534		644		1,598		2,391
Net income attributable	367		457		1,140		1,705
Corning's equity in earnings	186		229		562		853
Corning purchases	31				83		41
Dividends received					518		205
Royalty income from Samsung Corning Precision	20		51		63		176
Corning transfers of machinery and equipment at cost	13	[1]	34	[1]	53	[1]	95	[1]
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	1,545		1,661		4,638		4,908
Gross profit	382		527		1,114		1,599
Net income attributable	97		177		288		547
Corning's equity in earnings	48		89		144		275
Corning purchases	6		5		18		17
Dividends received	$ 50		$ 65		$ 50		$ 245

[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.