Note 9 - Investments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		May 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		50.00%
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions		100.00%
Equity Method Investments	[1]							$ 1,483
HSG [Member]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments			$ 22
HSC Operating Partnernship [Member] | HSG [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			80.50%	80.50%		80.50%
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)						$ (260)
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain, before Tax						45
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments				$ 26	$ 57	82	$ 149
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination							178
Equity Method Investments		$ 4,800	$ 279	279		279		$ 1,905
Removal of Carrying Value of Equity Method Investment		$ 383				383
Release of Deferred Tax Liabilities						105
Realignment of Equity Investment, Gain (Loss)				2,676		2,676
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments				41	62	100	156
Research and Development Expense				$ 43	$ 63	$ 100	$ 125

[1] Amounts reflect Corning’s direct ownership interests in the respective affiliated companies at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Corning does not control any of such entities.