EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS (Net Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 2,784		$ 2,321	$ 566
Income from discountinued operations, net of income taxes	0		0	110
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(42)		(11)	(28)
Net Income attributable to The Dow Chemical Company	2,742		2,310	648
Preferred stock dividends	(340)		(340)	(312)
Net Income Available for The Dow Chemical Company Common Stockholders	2,402		1,970	336
Net income attributable to participating securities	(30)	[1]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 2,372

[1] Accounting Standards Codification Topic 260, "Earnings per Share," requires enterprises with participating securities to use the two-class method to calculate earnings per share and to report the most dilutive earnings per share amount. The Company's deferred stock awards are considered participating securities due to Dow's practice of paying dividend equivalents on unvested shares. The impact on earnings per share in 2010 and 2009 using the two-class method was immaterial.