Investments (Results From Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 3,035	$ 3,008	$ 2,747	$ 2,500	$ 2,637	$ 2,607	$ 2,497	$ 2,375	$ 11,290	$ 10,116	$ 9,390
Corning’s equity in earnings of affiliated companies	288	$ 32	$ 31	$ 39	213	$ 31	$ 37	$ 80	390	361	284
Dividends received from affiliated companies									241	201	85
Affiliated Companies [Member]
Net sales									1,759	2,346	4,024
Gross profit									424	560	1,006
Net income									835	721	565
Corning’s equity in earnings of affiliated companies									390	361	284
Corning sales to affiliated companies									184	108	95
Corning purchases from affiliated companies									11	12	12
Corning transfers of assets, at cost, to affiliated companies									2	22	44
Dividends received from affiliated companies									241	201	85
Current assets	1,716				1,593				1,716	1,593
Noncurrent assets	1,922				1,999				1,922	1,999
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt	8				3				8	3
Other current liabilities	810				700				810	700
Long-term debt	14				16				14	16
Other long-term liabilities	1,708				2,128				1,708	2,128
Non-controlling interest	259				313				259	313
Balances due from affiliated companies	95				47				95	47
HSG [Member]
Net sales									1,158	1,716	1,119
Gross profit									367	469	361
Net income									814	706	421
Corning’s equity in earnings of affiliated companies									388	352	212
Dividends received from affiliated companies									241	196	$ 65
Current assets	1,188				1,206				1,188	1,206
Noncurrent assets	1,414				1,522				1,414	1,522
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt	3				3				3	3
Other current liabilities	540				484				540	484
Long-term debt	11				15				11	15
Other long-term liabilities	1,708				2,126				1,708	2,126
Non-controlling interest	$ 259				$ 313				$ 259	$ 313