Statement of Consolidated Operations (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales (I)	$ 4,947	$ 5,819
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of expenses below)	4,041	4,443
Selling, general administrative, and other expenses	260	232
Research and development expenses	42	55
Provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization	309	321
Restructuring and other charges (D)	93	177
Interest expense	127	122
Other expenses (income), net (H)	34	(12)
Total costs and expenses	4,906	5,338
Income before income taxes	41	481
Provision for income taxes	30	226
Net income	11	255
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5)	60
Consolidated net income attributable to Alcoa	16	195
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOA COMMON SHAREHOLDERS (J):
Net (loss) income	$ (2)	$ 178
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.15
Diluted	0.00	0.14
Dividends paid per share	$ 0.03	$ 0.03