Document and Entity Information In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	BROADCOM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001054374
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Common Class A
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	512
Common Class B
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	52