Reportable Segments (Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Translation (loss) gain on Japanese yen-denominated debt		$ (36)	$ 37	$ (21)	$ (2)
Research, development, and engineering expense		(249)	(243)	(498)	(484)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		33	31	58	70
Amortization of intangibles		(28)	(22)	(57)	(41)
Interest expense, net		(54)	(43)	(106)	(95)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(124)	(126)	(200)	(250)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		92	738	591	149
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development, and engineering expense	[1]	(214)	(212)	(427)	(414)
Income tax benefit (provision)	[2]	(126)	(110)	(237)	(202)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	[3]	475	413	888	758
Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		543	491	1,028	910
Operating Segments [Member] | Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		(68)	(78)	(140)	(152)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Impact of foreign currency movements		(36)	(32)	(73)	(68)
(Loss) gain on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings		(107)	458	77	(164)
Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters					(132)
Research, development, and engineering expense		(35)	(30)	(71)	(68)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	[4]	28	30	54	69
Amortization of intangibles		(28)	(22)	(57)	(41)
Interest expense, net		(49)	(34)	(94)	(73)
Income tax benefit (provision)		2	(16)	37	(48)
Other corporate items		(122)	(66)	(149)	(82)
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated		$ 92	$ 738	$ 591	$ 149

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

[2] Income tax provision (benefit) reflects a tax rate of 21%.

[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. Expenses that are not allocated to the segments are included in the reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income below.

[4] Primarily represents the equity earnings of HSG.