Reportable Segments (Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development, and engineering expense		$ (255)	$ (244)	$ (753)	$ (728)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		23	32	81	102
Amortization of intangibles		(28)	(27)	(85)	(68)
Interest expense, net		(55)	(45)	(161)	(140)
Income tax (provision) benefit		(71)	(133)	(271)	(383)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		337	625	928	774
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development, and engineering expense	[1]	(206)	(213)	(633)	(627)
Income tax (provision) benefit	[2]	(122)	(139)	(359)	(341)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	[3]	454	520	1,342	1,278
Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		524	592	1,552	1,502
Operating Segments [Member] | Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		(70)	(72)	(210)	(224)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Impact of foreign currency movements		(20)	(42)	(93)	(110)
Gain on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings		84	230	161	66
Translation gain (loss) on Japanese yen-denominated debt		11	30	(10)	28
Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters		24	(11)	24	(143)
Research, development, and engineering expense		(33)	(31)	(104)	(99)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	[4]	20	31	74	100
Amortization of intangibles		(28)	(27)	(85)	(68)
Interest expense, net		(51)	(38)	(145)	(111)
Income tax (provision) benefit		51	6	88	(42)
Other corporate items		(175)	(43)	(324)	(125)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		$ 337	$ 625	$ 928	$ 774

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

[2] Income tax (provision) benefit reflects a tax rate of 21%.

[3] 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 income below.

[4] Primarily represents the equity earnings of HSG.