Equity Method Investments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		$ 8			$ 8
USG share of income from investment accounted for using the equity method				$ 42	37
Tax On Asset Impairment Charges		0			0
USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gross profit	$ 98	90	[1]	275	241	[1]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	47	42	[1]	129	112	[1]
Net income	32	29	[1]	86	78	[1]
Net income attributable to USG Boral Building Products	30	28	[1]	83	74	[1]
USG share of income from investment accounted for using the equity method	15	14	[1]	42	37	[1]
USG Boral Building Products | USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	324	276	[1]	887	778	[1]
Operating profit	$ 43	$ 41	[1]	$ 118	$ 105	[1]

[1] The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 include impairment charges of $8 million, net of tax of $0, for certain assets in China.