Note 19 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Reportable Segments (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,289		$ 1,814
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	17
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,289		1,814
Depreciation	286	[1]	246	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	8		7
Research, development and engineering expenses	169	[2]	153	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	17
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(6)		139
Income tax (provision) benefit	(246)		(119)
Net income (loss)	287	[3]	434	[3]
Display Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	929		650
Depreciation	173	[1]	124	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	45	[2]	19	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(9)		133
Income tax (provision) benefit	(198)		(80)
Net income (loss)	209	[3]	349	[3]
Optical Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	593		470
Depreciation	36	[1]	34	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	2		2
Research, development and engineering expenses	37	[2]	35	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	12
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies			1
Income tax (provision) benefit	(19)		(17)
Net income (loss)	27	[3]	35	[3]
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	275		228
Depreciation	30	[1]	31	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	21	[2]	23	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	1
Income tax (provision) benefit	(21)		(13)
Net income (loss)	43	[3]	27	[3]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	261		258
Depreciation	27	[1]	39	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	33	[2]	35	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(16)		(19)
Net income (loss)	31	[3]	39	[3]
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	210		207
Depreciation	15	[1]	14	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	6		5
Research, development and engineering expenses	5	[2]	5	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(8)		(5)
Net income (loss)	17	[3]	12	[3]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	21		1
Depreciation	5	[1]	4	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	28	[2]	36	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	2		5
Income tax (provision) benefit	16		15
Net income (loss)	$ (40)	[3]	$ (28)	[3]

[1] Depreciation expense for Corning's reportable segments includes an allocation of depreciation of corporate property not specifically identifiable to a segment.

[2] Research, development, and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.

[3] 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.