Note 9 - Investments (Details) - Affiliate Results of Operations (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Note 9 - Investments (Details) - Affiliate Results of Operations [Line Items]
Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	$ 166		$ 259		$ 339		$ 477
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 9 - Investments (Details) - Affiliate Results of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	1,430		1,571		2,694		3,093
Gross profit (1)	385	[1]	395	[1]	602	[1]	732	[1]
Net income attributable to Dow Corning	87		121		149		192
Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	45		61		80		96
Corning purchases from Dow Corning	$ 5		$ 6		$ 11		$ 12

[1] Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2013 includes R&D cost of $62 million (2012: $69 million) and selling expenses of $2 million (2012: $3 million). Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2013 includes R&D cost of $127 million (2012: $138 million) and selling expenses of $6 million (2012: $7 million).