Note 20 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		$ 224	$ 212	$ 496	$ 407	$ 988	$ 1,014	$ 169	$ 301	$ 1,339	$ 2,472	$ 1,961
Unallocated amounts:
Net financing costs (1)	[1]									(111)	(113)	(66)
Share-based compensation expense										(46)	(58)	(54)
Exploratory research										(109)	(102)	(112)
Corporate contributions										(52)	(43)	(42)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments (2)	[2]									291	269	207
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings										(573)	1,095	368
Income tax benefit (provision)										568	(267)	(1)
Other corporate items										(148)	(84)	(32)
Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)										1,721	1,973	1,858
Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)										$ (202)	$ (198)	$ (165)

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

[2] Primarily represents the equity earnings of Dow Corning.