Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to DuPont	$ 3,474	$ 3,031	$ 1,755
Preferred dividends	(10)	(10)	(10)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 3,464	$ 3,021	$ 1,745
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - Basic	928,417,000	908,860,000	904,395,000
Dilutive effect of the company's employee compensation plans and accelerated share repurchase agreement	12,612,000	12,795,000	4,317,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Diluted	941,029,000	921,655,000	908,712,000