OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS (Schedule of Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 14,577		$ 14,513		$ 28,960		$ 29,232
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	4,166	[1]	1,960	[1]	6,386	[1]	3,668	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	228		148		458		317
Electronic And Functional Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,152		1,151		2,293		2,272
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	254	[1]	287	[1]	527	[1]	530	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	28		35		45		54
Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,888		1,888		3,555		3,591
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	250	[1]	337	[1]	436	[1]	541	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	25		45		51		67
Agricultural Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,850		1,676		3,953		3,514
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	290	[1]	307	[1]	774	[1]	758	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	1		(1)		3		0
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	3,389		3,369		6,717		6,842
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	284	[1]	350	[1]	724	[1]	682	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	(12)		(20)		(35)		(37)
Performance Plastics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Countries With Customers Of Company	100				100
Sales to external customers	3,676		3,711		7,174		7,302
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	1,010	[1]	760	[1]	1,962	[1]	1,478	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	88		39		145		73
Feedstocks and Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	2,543		2,657		5,099		5,592
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	193	[1]	134	[1]	433	[1]	332	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	105		52		264		177
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	79		61		169		119
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	1,885	[1]	(215)	[1]	1,530	[1]	(653)	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	$ (7)		$ (2)		$ (15)		$ (17)

[1] The Company uses EBITDA (which Dow defines as earnings (i.e., "Net Income") before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBITDA by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses, except depreciation and amortization; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Corporate. A reconciliation of EBITDA to "Income Before Income Taxes" is provided below. Reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income Before Income Taxes”Three Months Ended Six Months EndedIn millionsJun 30, 2013 Jun 30, 2012 Jun 30, 2013 Jun 30, 2012EBITDA$4,166 $1,960 $6,386 $3,668- Depreciation and amortization659 674 1,327 1,353+ Interest income10 10 18 16- Interest expense and amortization of debt discount279 312 575 641Income Before Income Taxes$3,238 $984 $4,502 $1,690