Reportable Segments (Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income to Consolidated Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Impact of foreign currency movements not included in segment net income (loss)		$ (31)	$ (37)
Research, development and engineering expenses		241	202
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		39	80
Income tax (provision) benefit		(124)	66
Net (loss) income		(589)	86
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development and engineering expenses	[1]	202	175
Income tax (provision) benefit		(92)	(113)
Net (loss) income	[2]	345	420
Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net (loss) income		419	480
Operating Segments [Member] | Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net (loss) income		(74)	(60)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings		(622)	(438)
Litigation expense		(136)	(3)
Research, development and engineering expenses		39	27
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	[3]	37	79
Income tax (provision) benefit		(32)	179
Other corporate items		$ (37)	$ 71

[1] Research, development and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.

[2] 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. Expenses that are not allocated to the segments are included in the reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net (loss) income below.

[3] Primarily represents the equity earnings of HSG.