Reportable Segments (Reconciliation Of Reportable Segment Net Income To Consolidated Net Income) (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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 539	[1]	$ 749	[1]	$ 1,504	[1]	$ 2,187	[1]
Net financing costs	(55)	[2]	(47)	[2]	(139)	[2]	(146)	[2]
Stock-based compensation expense	(16)		(21)		(56)		(66)
Exploratory research	(27)		(23)		(74)		(59)
Corporate contributions	(13)		(6)		(36)		(38)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments	51	[3]	93	[3]	150	[3]	284	[3]
Asbestos settlement	(3)	[4]	(5)	[4]	(9)	[4]	(15)	[4]
Other corporate items	45	[5]	71	[5]	105	[5]	167	[5]
Net income	521		811		1,445		2,314
Settlement of dispute related to long term supply agrements	10				10
Tax benefit from amending 2006 United States Federal return			41
Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	569		766		1,570		2,239
Non-Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(30)		(17)		(66)		(52)
Telecommunications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 35	[1]	$ 82	[1]	$ 92	[1]	$ 169	[1]

[1] Many of Corning's administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis. Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function. Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal, are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Telecommunications segment included a credit of $22 million from the reduction to a contingent liability associated with an acquisition recorded in the first quarter of 2011.

[2] Net financing costs include interest income, interest expense, and interest costs and investment gains associated with benefit plans.

[3] Primarily represents the equity earnings of Dow Corning Corporation. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Corning recorded a $10 million credit for our share of Dow Corning Corporation's settlement of a dispute related to long term supply agreements.

[4] 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.

[5] In the three months ended September 30, 2011, Corning recorded a $41 million tax benefit from the filing of an amended 2006 U.S. Federal Tax return to claim foreign tax credits.