Reportable Segments (Reconciliation Of Reportable Segment Net Income (Loss) To Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					$ 1,723		$ 2,802		$ 3,556
Net financing costs					(196)	[1]	(190)	[1]	(183)	[1]
Stock-based compensation expense					(70)		(86)		(92)
Exploratory research					(89)		(79)		(59)
Corporate contributions					(44)		(48)		(33)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments					82	[2]	421	[2]	453	[2]
Asbestos litigation					(14)		(24)		49
Other corporate items					112	[3]	199	[3]	336	[3]
Net income					1,728		2,805		3,558
Tax benefit from amending 2006 United States Federal return							41
Total impairment charges	44	130			81		130		(324)
Settlement of dispute related to long term supply agrements					10
Settlement of dispute related to long term supply agrements, after tax					9
Deferred tax benefit					68		115		68
Foreign tax credits				265					265
Restructuring charges					89
Translation capital gain on the liquidation of entity					52
Loss on repurchase of debt before tax			30		(26)				(30)
Loss on repurchase of debt after tax					(17)
Tax expense reversed					37
Charge from reversal of deferred tax asset							41
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total impairment charges					87
Total impairment charges, after tax					81
Settlement of dispute related to long term supply agrements							89
U.S. advanced energy manufacturing tax credit									21
Foreign tax credits									16
Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					2,045		2,690		3,162
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)					(98)	[4]	(78)	[4]	(75)	[4]
International [Member] | Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deferred tax benefit									26
6.2% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Maturity date									Mar. 15, 2016
Loss on repurchase of debt before tax									30
Loss on repurchase of debt after tax									19
Repurchase of debt principal amount									126
Interest rate on debt									6.20%
5.9% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Maturity date									Mar. 15, 2014
Repurchase of debt principal amount									100
Interest rate on debt									5.90%
Debentures, 8.875%, Due 2021 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Repurchase of senior unsecured notes	13				13
Interest rate on debt	8.875%				8.875%
Debentures, 8.875%, Due 2016 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Repurchase of senior unsecured notes	11				11
Interest rate on debt	8.875%				8.875%
Debentures, 6.75%, Due 2013 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss on repurchase of debt before tax	26
Repurchase of senior unsecured notes	51				51
Interest rate on debt	6.75%				6.75%
Asbestos Issues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asbestos litigation					$ (14)	[5]	$ (24)	[5]	$ 49	[5]

[1] (1) Net financing costs include interest expense, interest income, and interest costs and investment gains and losses associated with benefit plans.

[2] (2) Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments, is primarily equity in earnings of Dow Corning, which includes the following items: · In 2012, restructuring and impairment charges in the amount of $87 million ($81 million after tax) for our share of a charge related to workforce reductions and asset write-offs at Dow Corning, and a $10 million ($9 million after tax) credit for Corning's share of Dow Corning's settlement of a dispute related to long term supply agreements. · In 2011, a $89 million credit for our share of Dow Corning's settlement of a dispute related to long term supply agreements; and · In 2010, a $21 million credit for our share of U.S. advanced energy manufacturing tax credits and a $26 million credit for our share of a release of valuation allowances on foreign deferred tax assets. Corning also recorded a $16 million credit for our share of excess foreign tax credits from foreign dividends.

[3] (4) Other corporate items include the tax impact of the unallocated amounts and the following significant items: · In 2012, Corning recorded a $52 million translation gain on the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary; a loss of $26 million ($17 million after tax) from the repurchase of $13 million principal amount of our 8.875% senior unsecured notes due 2021, $11 million of our 8.875% senior unsecured notes due 2016, and $51 million principal amount of our 6.75% senior unsecured notes due 2013; and a $37 million tax expense resulting from the delay of the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 until Jan. 2013, that will be reversed in the first quarter of 2013. · In 2011, Corning recorded a $41 million tax benefit from the filing of an amended 2006 U.S. Federal Tax return to claim foreign tax credits. · In 2010, Corning recorded a loss of $30 million ($19 million after tax) from the repurchase of $126 million principal amount of our 6.2% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2016 and $100 million principal amount of our 5.9% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2014.

[4] 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

[5] (3) In 2012, Corning recorded charges of $14 million to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of the components of the Amended PCC Plan. In 2011, Corning recorded charges of $24 million to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of the components of the Amended PCC Plan. In 2010, Corning recorded a net credit of $49 million primarily reflecting the change in the terms of the proposed asbestos settlement.