Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cumulative translation adjustment, pretax	$ (457)	$ (6)	$ 89
Cumulative translation adjustment, tax	0	0	0
Cumulative translation adjustment, after-tax	(457)	(6)	89
Net revaluation and clearance of cash flow hedges to earnings, pretax	113	54	145
Net revaluation and clearance of cash flow hedges to earnings, tax	(41)	(20)	(52)
Net revaluation and clearance of cash flow hedges to earnings, after-tax	72	34	93
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, pretax	2	2	6
Net unrealized gains on securities, tax	(1)	(1)	(2)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, after-tax	1	1	4
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, pretax	(18)	2	(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interest, tax	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, after-tax	(18)	2	(2)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to DuPont, pretax	(4,300)	(12)	(409)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to DuPont, tax	1,322	(5)	154
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to DuPont, after-tax	(2,978)	(17)	(255)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Pension and other benefits, pretax	(3,431)	(111)	(485)
Pension and other benefits, tax	1,187	46	152
Pension and other benefits, after-tax	(2,244)	(65)	(333)
Other Long-Term Employee Benefit Plans Defined Benefit [Member]
Pension and other benefits, pretax	(509)	47	(162)
Pension and other benefits, tax	177	(30)	56
Pension and other benefits, after-tax	$ (332)	$ 17	$ (106)