Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS Attributable to Alcoa Corporation Common Shareholders (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Alcoa Corporation	$ (199)	$ 195
Average shares outstanding – basic	185	186
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		1
Stock units		1
Average shares outstanding – diluted	185	188

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Number of additional shares included in diluted EPS for potentially dilutive effect of nonvested equity-based payment award containing forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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