Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedChargesCredit
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Asbestos Related Liability Future Claims Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityFutureClaimsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of the recorded asbestos liability related to pending claims.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_AsbestosRelatedLiabilityPendingClaimsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Defense and Resolution Costs for Asbestos Related Claims

No definition available.

Name:	dow_DefenseAndResolutionCostsAsbestosRelatedClaims
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of reserves for the costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process attributable to asbestos claims, before estimated recoveries from reinsurers.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_LiabilityForAsbestosClaimsGross
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts expected to be recovered under the terms of insurance contracts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5