Contingencies - Changes in Carrying Value of Recorded Environmental Remediation Reserves (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance		$ 309	$ 322	$ 322
Liabilities incurred	$ 18	23	8	21
Cash payments	(7)	(17)		(23)
Reversals of previously recorded liabilities		(3)	$ (17)	(17)
Foreign currency translation and other		(2)		6
Ending balance	$ 310	$ 310		$ 309

Accrual for environmental loss contingencies foreign currency translation gain (loss) and other.

No definition available.

Name:	aa_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossAndOther
Namespace Prefix:	aa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (d)(3)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 16
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6571209&loc=d3e13703-110860

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of expense for newly incurred environmental loss contingencies. Includes, but is not limited to, remediation expense and interest accretion.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesChargesToExpenseForNewLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense (reversal of expense) which increases (decreases) the accrual for environmental loss contingencies from revisions in estimates to existing obligations. Excludes changes related to business acquisitions, divestitures, or currency movement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to settle environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3367-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration