Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests										$ 809
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2015			$ 4,000	$ 3,107	$ 4,936	$ 28,425	$ (8,667)	$ (272)	$ (6,155)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued / sold					92
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(219)
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	$ 169					169
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2017: $0.46; 2016: $0.46)						(509)
Dividend equivalents on participating securities						(11)
Other comprehensive income	405						405
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								8
Issuances - compensation plans									290
Total Equity, Ending at Mar. 31, 2016	26,434
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Mar. 31, 2016		$ 25,599	4,000	3,107	4,809	28,074	(8,262)	(264)	(5,865)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests										835
Noncontrolling Interests	1,242									1,242
Total Equity, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2016	27,229
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2016	25,987		0	3,107	4,262	30,338	(9,822)	(239)	(1,659)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued / sold					282
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(407)
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	888					888
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2017: $0.46; 2016: $0.46)						(557)
Dividend equivalents on participating securities						(10)
Other comprehensive income	308						308
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								36
Issuances - compensation plans									533
Total Equity, Ending at Mar. 31, 2017	28,334
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Mar. 31, 2017	27,060	$ 27,060	$ 0	$ 3,107	$ 4,137	$ 30,659	$ (9,514)	$ (203)	$ (1,126)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests	$ 1,274									$ 1,274