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, 2013			$ 4,000	$ 3,054	$ 3,928	$ 21,407	$ (4,827)	$ (357)	$ (307)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				38
Common Stock Issued/Sold Additional Paid in Capital					489
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(4)
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	964					964
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2015: $0.42; 2014: $0.37)						(437)
Other					(6)	(5)				1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3						3
Shares Allocated to ESOP participants								8
Purchases									(1,250)
Issuances - compensation plans									43
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest										982
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Mar. 31, 2014		26,741	4,000	3,092	4,407	21,929	(4,824)	(349)	(1,514)
Total Equity, Ending at Mar. 31, 2014	27,723
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2014	22,423		4,000	3,107	4,846	23,045	(8,017)	(325)	(4,233)
Total Equity, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2014	23,354
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued				0
Common Stock Issued/Sold Additional Paid in Capital					106
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(160)
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	1,393					1,393
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2015: $0.42; 2014: $0.37)						(477)
Other					0	(5)				0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(823)						(823)
Shares Allocated to ESOP participants								35
Purchases									(500)
Issuances - compensation plans									245
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	977									977
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Mar. 31, 2015	22,237	22,237	4,000	3,107	4,792	23,956	(8,840)	(290)	(4,488)
Total Equity, Ending at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 23,214