Reportable Segments (Schedule Of Reportable Segments Information By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,920		$ 1,923
Depreciation	235		226
Research, development and engineering expenses	187		156
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	218		398
Income tax (provision) benefit	111		114
Display Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	705		790
Depreciation	129	[1]	124	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	27	[2]	25	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	182		294
Income tax (provision) benefit	(96)		(139)
Net income (loss)	421	[3]	638	[3]
Telecommunications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	508		474
Depreciation	30	[1]	28	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	3		1
Research, development and engineering expenses	35	[2]	29	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	(4)		3
Income tax (provision) benefit	(12)		(19)
Net income (loss)	21	[3]	41	[3]
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	263		259
Depreciation	28	[1]	25	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	26	[2]	23	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	1
Income tax (provision) benefit	(20)		(14)
Net income (loss)	40	[3]	29	[3]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	288		254
Depreciation	34	[1]	37	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	37	[2]	29	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies			3
Income tax (provision) benefit	(11)		(3)
Net income (loss)	21	[3]	8	[3]
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	155		144
Depreciation	10	[1]	8	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	2		2
Research, development and engineering expenses	6	[2]	4	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(6)		(7)
Net income (loss)	12	[3]	15	[3]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1		2
Depreciation	3	[1]	2	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	27	[2]	22	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	4		7
Income tax (provision) benefit	10		9
Net income (loss)	(20)	[3]	(15)	[3]
Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,920		1,923
Depreciation	234	[1]	224	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	5		3
Research, development and engineering expenses	158	[2]	132	[2]
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliated companies	183		307
Income tax (provision) benefit	(135)		(173)
Net income (loss)	$ 495	[3]	$ 716	[3]

[1] Depreciation expense for Corning's reportable segments includes an allocation of depreciation of corporate property not specifically identifiable to a segment.

[2] Research, development, and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.

[3] Many of Corning's administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis. Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function. Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal, are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales.