Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	The Dow Chemical Company's Stockholder's Equity [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Unearned ESOP Shares [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2011			$ 4,000	$ 2,961	$ 2,663	$ 19,087	$ (5,996)	$ (434)	$ 0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2011										1,010
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)										(6)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				35	155
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	1,061					1,061
Dividends declared on common stock (per share: $0.64 in 2013, $0.57 in 2012)						(667)
Other						(8)				(4)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	29						29
Distributions to noncontrolling interests										(58)
Capital contributions (noncash capital contributions 2013: $0; 2012: $95)										95
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					200
Shares Allocated to ESOP participants								35
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method									0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	29									29
Consolidation of variable interest entity										37
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2012		23,121	4,000	2,996	3,018	19,473	(5,967)	(399)	0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending at Jun. 30, 2012										1,103
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2012	24,224
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	20,877		4,000	3,008	3,281	18,495	(7,516)	(391)	0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	990									990
Total Equity, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	21,867
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)										(31)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				23	126
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	2,890					2,890
Dividends declared on common stock (per share: $0.64 in 2013, $0.57 in 2012)						(759)
Other						(6)				(4)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(10)						(10)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests										(26)
Capital contributions (noncash capital contributions 2013: $0; 2012: $95)										17
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					130
Shares Allocated to ESOP participants								20
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method									(80)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	43									43
Consolidation of variable interest entity										0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2013	23,211	23,211	4,000	3,031	3,537	20,620	(7,526)	(371)	(80)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending at Jun. 30, 2013	989									989
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 24,200