Note 7 - Investments (Details) - Results of Operations (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of operations (1)(2):
Equity in earnings of affiliates	$ 23	$ 95	$ 62	$ 86	$ 70	$ 138	$ 166	$ 173	$ 266		$ 547		$ 810
Related party transactions:
Dividends received from affiliates									1,704		630		1,090
Affiliated Companies [Member]
Statement of operations (1)(2):
Net sales									7,124	[1],[2]	8,526	[1],[2]	9,957	[1],[2]
Gross profit									1,701	[1],[2]	2,655	[1],[2]	3,628	[1],[2]
Net income									647	[1],[2]	1,135	[1],[2]	1,541	[1],[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliates									266	[1],[2]	547	[1],[2]	810	[1],[2]
Related party transactions:
Corning sales to affiliated companies									13	[1],[2]	13	[1],[2]	50	[1],[2]
Corning purchases from affiliates									25	[1],[2]	189	[1],[2]	167	[1],[2]
Corning transfers of assets, at cost, to affiliated companies (3)											37	[1],[2],[3]	55	[1],[2],[3]
Dividends received from affiliates									130	[1],[2]	629	[1],[2]	1,089	[1],[2]
Royalty income from affiliated companies									2	[1],[2]	57	[1],[2]	84	[1],[2]
Corning services to affiliates											2	[1],[2]	24	[1],[2]
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Statement of operations (1)(2):
Net sales									6,221		5,711		6,119
Gross profit									1,543	[4]	1,280	[4]	1,413	[4]
Net income									513		376		181
Equity in earnings of affiliates									252		196		90
Related party transactions:
Corning purchases from affiliates									15		22		23
Dividends received from affiliates									$ 125		$ 100		$ 100

[1] 2013 and 2012 amounts include Samsung Corning Precision Materials.

[2] As a result of the series of strategic and financial agreements with Samsung Display entered into on October 22, 2013, certain non-operating assets of Samsung Corning Precision Materials were held for sale as of December 31, 2013 and are reported as discontinued operations in Samsung Corning Precision Materials financial statements, which are attached in Item 15, Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. Previous period amounts have been conformed for comparative purposes.

[3] In 2013 and 2012, Corning purchased machinery and equipment on behalf of Samsung Corning Precision Materials to support its capital expansion initiatives.

[4] Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes R&D cost of $273 million (2013: $248 million and 2012: $281 million).