Restructuring, Impairment And Other Charges (Credits) (Schedule Of Restructuring Cost By Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	$ 133		$ 129		$ (329)
Display Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	21	[1]			(324)	[1]
Telecommunications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	39	[1]	(1)	[1]	(3)	[1]
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	3	[1]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	54	[1]	130	[1]	(2)	[1]
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	2	[1]
Corporate And All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total restructuring, impairment and other charges (credits)	$ 14

[1] In 2012, Corning recorded a $44 million impairment charge in the Specialty Materials segment related to certain assets located in Japan used for the production of large cover glass. In 2011, Corning recorded a $130 million impairment charge in the Specialty Materials segment related to certain assets located in Japan used for the production of large cover glass. In 2010, Corning recorded $324 million on the settlement of business interruption and property damage insurance claims in the Display Technologies segment resulting from earthquake activity near the Shizuoka, Japan facility and a power disruption at the Taichung, Taiwan facility in 2009