Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Reportable Segments (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,265		$ 2,289
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			17
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			(17)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,265		2,289
Depreciation	273	[1]	286	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	11		8
Research, development and engineering expenses	161	[2]	169	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	1		17
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	(1)		(17)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies			(6)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(190)		(246)
Net income (loss)	405	[3]	287	[3]
Display Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	808		929
Depreciation	156	[1]	173	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	24	[2]	45	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			5
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			(5)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(2)		(9)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(132)		(198)
Net income (loss)	294	[3]	209	[3]
Optical Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	697		593
Depreciation	38	[1]	36	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	6		2
Research, development and engineering expenses	33	[2]	37	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	1		12
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	(1)		(12)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(29)		(19)
Net income (loss)	57	[3]	27	[3]
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	282		275
Depreciation	29	[1]	30	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	23	[2]	21	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies			1
Income tax (provision) benefit	(23)		(21)
Net income (loss)	48	[3]	43	[3]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	272		261
Depreciation	26	[1]	27	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	31	[2]	33	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(21)		(16)
Net income (loss)	38	[3]	31	[3]
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	197		210
Depreciation	15	[1]	15	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	5		6
Research, development and engineering expenses	5	[2]	5	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(8)		(8)
Net income (loss)	16	[3]	17	[3]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9		21
Depreciation	9	[1]	5	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	45	[2]	28	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	2		2
Income tax (provision) benefit	23		16
Net income (loss)	$ (48)	[3]	$ (40)	[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.