Earnings per Common Share (Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$ 439	$ 2,207	$ 525	$ 1,839
Less: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend	24	24	49	49
Net income available to common stockholders – basic	415	2,183	476	1,790
Plus: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend	24	24	49	49
Net income available to common stockholders – diluted	$ 439	$ 2,207	$ 525	$ 1,839
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	908	1,059	917	1,081
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	1,034	1,182	1,043	1,204
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 2.06	$ 0.52	$ 1.66
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 1.87	$ 0.50	$ 1.53
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share (in shares)		20	2	21
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share (in shares)		20	2	21
Stock Options and Other Dilutive Securities [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and other dilutive securities (in shares)	11	8	11	8
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and other dilutive securities (in shares)	115	115	115	115