Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,920		$ 1,923
Cost of sales	1,106		1,049
Gross margin	814		874
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	279		250
Research, development and engineering expenses	187		156
Amortization of purchased intangibles	5		3
Asbestos litigation charge	1	[1]	5	[1]
Operating income	342		460
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies (Note 8)	218		398
Interest income	4		4
Interest expense	(20)		(27)
Other income, net (Note 1)	29		27
Income before income taxes	573		862
Provision for income taxes (Note 4)	(111)		(114)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$ 462		$ 748
Earnings per common share attributable to Corning Incorporated:
Basic (Note 5)	$ 0.30		$ 0.48
Diluted (Note 5)	$ 0.30		$ 0.47
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.075		$ 0.050

[1] (3) In the first quarter of 2012, Corning recorded a charge of $1 million to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of components of the Modified PCC Plan. In the first quarter of 2011, Corning recorded a charge of $5 million to adjust the asbestos liability for the change in value of components of the Modified PCC Plan.