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					234
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(280)
Other					0					1
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	$ 3,292					3,292
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2017: $0.92; 2016: $0.92)						(1,021)
Dividend equivalents						(16)
Other comprehensive income	822						822
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								40
Issuances - compensation plans									491
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2016	30,234
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2016		$ 28,936	4,000	3,107	4,890	30,680	(7,845)	(232)	(5,664)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests										835
Other										2
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	3,123
Other comprehensive income	417
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2016	30,234
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2016		28,936	4,000	3,107	4,890	30,680	(7,845)	(232)	(5,664)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests										1,298
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					357
Stock-based compensation and allocation of ESOP shares					(415)
Other					(2)					0
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	2,209					2,209
Dividends declared on common stock (per share - 2017: $0.92; 2016: $0.92)						(1,115)
Dividend equivalents						(15)
Other comprehensive income	748						748
Shares allocated to ESOP participants								41
Issuances - compensation plans									626
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2017	29,589
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2017	28,421	28,421	0	3,107	4,202	31,417	(9,074)	(198)	(1,033)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests										1,274
Other										(1)
Net income available for The Dow Chemical Company common stockholders	1,321
Other comprehensive income	440
Total Equity, Ending at Jun. 30, 2017	29,589
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending at Jun. 30, 2017	28,421	$ 28,421	$ 0	$ 3,107	$ 4,202	$ 31,417	$ (9,074)	$ (198)	$ (1,033)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interests	$ 1,168									$ 1,168