Reportable Segments (Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development, and engineering expense		$ (1,031)	$ (993)	$ (864)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		17	390	361
Amortization of intangibles		(113)	(94)	(75)
Interest expense, net		(221)	(191)	(155)
Income tax (provision) benefit		(256)	(437)	(2,154)
Net income (loss) attributable to Corning Incorporated		960	1,066	(497)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Research, development, and engineering expense	[1]	(867)	(850)	(760)
Income tax (provision) benefit		(451)	(477)	(442)
Net income (loss) attributable to Corning Incorporated	[2]	1,701	1,784	1,659
Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Corning Incorporated		1,990	2,065	1,918
Operating Segments [Member] | Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Corning Incorporated		(289)	(281)	(259)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Impact of foreign currency movements		(115)	(157)	(168)
Gain on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings		245	(78)	(121)
Translation gain (loss) on Japanese yen-denominated debt		3	18	14
Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters		17	(124)	12
Research, development, and engineering expense		(164)	(134)	(106)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	[3]	9	390	352
Amortization of intangibles		(113)	(93)	(75)
Interest expense, net		(200)	(149)	(110)
Pension mark to market		(95)	(145)	(22)
Income tax (provision) benefit		195	42	(1,709)
Other corporate items		(517)	(252)	(195)
Net income (loss) attributable to Corning Incorporated		$ 960	$ 1,066	$ (497)

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

[2] 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.

[3] Refer to Note 6 (Investments) to the consolidated financial statements for additional detail.