Investments (Affiliate Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Corning's equity in earnings	$ 218		$ 398
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	784		1,141
Gross profit	524		855
Net income attributable	371		611
Corning's equity in earnings	183		299
Corning purchases	10		30
Dividends received	518		205
Royalty income from Samsung Corning Precision	22		61
Corning transfers of machinery and equipment at cost	15	[1]	34	[1]
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	1,522		1,579
Gross profit	337		539
Net income attributable	71		179
Corning's equity in earnings	35		91
Corning purchases	6		6
Dividends received			$ 115

[1] Corning purchases machinery and equipment on behalf of Samsung Corning Precision to support its capital expansion initiatives. The machinery and equipment are transferred to Samsung Corning Precision at our cost basis