EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS (Net Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 1,100		$ 2,784		$ 2,321
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	82		(42)		(11)
Net Income Attributable to The Dow Chemical Company	1,182		2,742		2,310
Preferred stock dividends	(340)		(340)		(340)
Net income attributable to participating securities	(13)	[1]	(30)	[1]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	829		2,372
Net Income Available for The Dow Chemical Company Common Stockholders	$ 842		$ 2,402		$ 1,970

[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. 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 using the two-class method was immaterial.