Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]

Reconciliation Of Amounts Used In Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

	Years ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	Weighted- average shares	Per share amount	Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	Weighted- average shares	Per share amount	Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	Weighted- average shares	Per share amount
Basic earnings per common share	$2,805	1,562	$1.80	$3,558	1,558	$2.28	$2,008	1,550	$1.30
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options and awards		21			23			18
Diluted earnings per common share	$2,805	1,583	$1.77	$3,558	1,581	$2.25	$2,008	1,568	$1.28

Employee Stock Options And Awards [Member]

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]

Anti-Dilutive Securities Excluded From Calculation Of Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

	Years ended December 31,
	2011	2010	2009
Potential common shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Employee stock options and awards	29	43	57
Performance-based restricted stock awards			3
Total	29	43	60