Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	BROADCOM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001054374
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 16.0
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	481
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	54