The threshold for the asset assignment agreement within a business combination.

No definition available.

Name:	glw_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAssetsAssignmentAgreementThreshold
Namespace Prefix:	glw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of asset recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6411-128476

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregation of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=glw_SamsungCorningPrecisionMaterialsCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=glw_RevenuesGeneratedBySamsungCorningPrecisionMaterialsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=glw_VolumnOfCertainSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=glw_SamsungDisplaysObligationToPayOrRightToReceivedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=glw_LongTermSupplyAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 16 - Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset		$ 289,000	$ 246,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring		0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring		0	0
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$ 458,000	$ 289,000	$ 246,000	$ 196,000	$ 196,000
Business Combination Contingent Consideration Assets Assignment Agreement Threshold	(300,000)
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member] \| Revenues Generated by Samsung Corning Precision Materials [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High					665,000
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member] \| Volumn of Certain Sales [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High					$ 100,000
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member] \| Samsung Displays Obligation to Pay or Right to Received [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	246,000
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member] \| Long Term Supply Agreements [Member]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$ 212,000