Quarterly Operating Results (Schedule Of Quarterly Operating Results) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 8,012	$ 7,890	$ 6,632
Gross margin	3,397	3,566	3,049
Restructuring, impairment and other credits	133	129	(329)
Asbestos litigation charges	14	24
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	810	1,471	1,958
Provision for income taxes	(389)	(408)	(287)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	1,728	2,805	3,558
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.16	$ 1.80	$ 2.28
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.15	$ 1.77	$ 2.25
First Quarter [Member]
Net sales	1,920	1,923
Gross margin	814	874
Asbestos litigation charges	1	5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	218	398
Provision for income taxes	(111)	(114)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	462	748
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.48
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.47
Second Quarter [Member]
Net sales	1,908	2,005
Gross margin	797	889
Asbestos litigation charges	5	5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	259	428
Provision for income taxes	(93)	(123)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	462	755
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.31	$ 0.48
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.47
Third Quarter [Member]
Net sales	2,038	2,075
Gross margin	879	978
Asbestos litigation charges	3	5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	240	324
Provision for income taxes	(87)	(110)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	521	811
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.35	$ 0.52
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.35	$ 0.51
Fourth Quarter [Member]
Net sales	2,146	1,887
Gross margin	907	825
Restructuring, impairment and other credits	133	129
Asbestos litigation charges	5	9
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	93	321
Provision for income taxes	(98)	(61)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$ 283	$ 491
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.19	$ 0.32
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.19	$ 0.31