Name:	dow_FinancialInstrumentsAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

This element represents the fair value by the entity of debt and equity securities, derivatives, and long-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_FinancialInstrumentsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the gross unrealized gains of debt and equity securities, derivatives, and long-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	dow_FinancialInstrumentsGrossUnrealizedGains
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the gross unrealized losses of debt and equity securities, derivatives, and long-term debt.

No definition available.

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

Financial Instruments [Line Items]

No definition available.

Name:	dow_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	dow_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the unamortized adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective interest rate fair value hedge that is amortized upon discontinuation of the interest rate fair value hedge.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 35
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65886642&loc=d3e75592-113984

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredGainLossOnDiscontinuationOfInterestRateFairValueHedge
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Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_SecuritiesAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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