Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return on investment, classified as operating activities. Excludes distribution for return of investment, classified as investing activities.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

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Amount of consolidated retained earnings that represent undistributed (not yet received) earnings from 50% or less owned persons accounted for by the equity method (equity method investees).

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The beneficial ownership of outstanding share of common stock held by the Affiliates of Purchasers of the Disposal Group

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Equity Method Investment, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High

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Equity Method Investment, Performance Target

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Equity method investment, tax on sale

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Income and gain from the sale of equity method investment to related party

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Purchase Price of Interest in Joint Venture Sold

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Equity Method Investments - Textuals (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 EUR (€)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash dividends received		$ 42	$ 47	$ 38
Translation gain (loss)		58	(53)	(67)
Purchase price of joint venture				52	€ 48
Income taxes payable on sale				5
Income and gain from the sale of equity method investment to related party		$ 0	0	13
Years in performance target	3 years	5 years
USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Loan receivable from related party		$ 13	$ 15
Knauf
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of beneficial ownership of affiliates		10.00%
USG Boral Building Products
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage interest		50.00%	50.00%
Cash dividends received		$ 42
Consolidated retained earnings which represents undistributed earnings		60
Contingent consideration amount (up to)		50
Translation gain (loss)		$ 40	$ (30)	$ (23)
Knauf USG
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage interest				50.00%	50.00%
Gain on sale of investment				$ 6