Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ 99	$ 149	$ 239	$ 311
Basic weighted-average shares	696,553	682,893	690,695	682,475
Diluted weighted-average shares	700,696	686,924	694,832	686,855
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
Basic	$ 0.14	$ 0.22	$ 0.34	$ 0.45
Diluted	$ 0.14	$ 0.22	$ 0.34	$ 0.45
Nonvested restricted stock units [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements under effects of dilutive securities item	2,091	1,669	2,094	2,012
Stock options [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements under effects of dilutive securities item	2,034	2,207	2,025	2,198
Convertible debentures [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental dilutive shares, Convertible debt	18	155	18	170