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 [Member]	Unearned ESOP Shares [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2010										$ 803
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2010				2,931	2,286	17,736	(4,399)	(476)	(239)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				30	206
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					171
Net Income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	2,402					2,402
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2013: $1.28; 2012: $1.21; 2011: $0.90)						(1,037)
Dividend equivalents on participating securities						(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,597)						(1,597)
Shares acquired								(5)
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								47
Purchases									(19)
Issuance to employees and employee plans									258
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	42									42
Distributions to noncontrolling interests										(43)
Capital contributions (noncash - 2013: $-; 2012: $97; 2011: $-)										37
Consolidation of variable interest entities										31
Conversion of note payable to preferred shares of a subsidiary										158
Cumulative translation adjustments										(18)
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest										0
Other										0
Total Equity, Ending at Dec. 31, 2011	23,291
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending at Dec. 31, 2011										1,010
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Dec. 31, 2011		22,281	4,000	2,961	2,663	19,087	(5,996)	(434)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				47	248
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					370
Net Income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	842					842
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2013: $1.28; 2012: $1.21; 2011: $0.90)						(1,419)
Dividend equivalents on participating securities						(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,520)						(1,520)
Shares acquired								(11)
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								54
Purchases									0
Issuance to employees and employee plans									0
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(82)									(82)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests										(73)
Capital contributions (noncash - 2013: $-; 2012: $97; 2011: $-)										97
Consolidation of variable interest entities										37
Conversion of note payable to preferred shares of a subsidiary										0
Cumulative translation adjustments										0
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest										0
Other										1
Total Equity, Ending at Dec. 31, 2012	21,867
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending at Dec. 31, 2012	990									990
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Dec. 31, 2012	20,877	20,877	4,000	3,008	3,281	18,495	(7,516)	(391)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				46	340
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					307
Net Income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	4,447					4,447
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2013: $1.28; 2012: $1.21; 2011: $0.90)						(1,520)
Dividend equivalents on participating securities						(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,689						2,689
Shares acquired								(11)
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								45
Purchases									(307)
Issuance to employees and employee plans									0
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	29									29
Distributions to noncontrolling interests										(55)
Capital contributions (noncash - 2013: $-; 2012: $97; 2011: $-)										58
Consolidation of variable interest entities										0
Conversion of note payable to preferred shares of a subsidiary										0
Cumulative translation adjustments										(43)
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest										52
Other										(5)
Total Equity, Ending at Dec. 31, 2013	27,924
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending at Dec. 31, 2013	1,026									1,026
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 26,898	$ 26,898	$ 4,000	$ 3,054	$ 3,928	$ 21,407	$ (4,827)	$ (357)	$ (307)