Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedChargesCredit
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Asbestos Related Liability Future Claims Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityFutureClaimsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of the recorded asbestos liability related to pending claims.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityPendingClaimsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Defense and Resolution Costs for Asbestos Related Claims

No definition available.

Name:	dow_DefenseAndResolutionCostsAsbestosRelatedClaims
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of reserves for the costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process attributable to asbestos claims, before estimated recoveries from reinsurers.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_LiabilityForAsbestosClaimsGross
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts expected to be recovered under the terms of insurance contracts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_EstimatedInsuranceRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
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The estimated minimum amount of possible loss from the contingency.