Note 6 - (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Note 6 - (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share [Line Items]
Net (loss) income attributable to Corning Incorporated (in Dollars)	$ (368)	$ 407
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - basic (in Dollars)	(392)	383
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - diluted (in Dollars)	$ (392)	$ 407
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	1,103	1,266
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	1,103	1,394
Basic (loss) earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.30
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.29
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share	162	14
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share	115
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share	47	14
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Note 6 - (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share [Line Items]
Less: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend (in Dollars)	$ (24)	$ (24)
Add: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend (in Dollars)	$ 24	$ 24
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effect of dilutive securities		115
Stock Options and Other Dilutive Securities [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effect of dilutive securities		13