Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,322	$ 3,446
Net income	2,445	51
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	55	151
Cash dividends	(84)	(87)
Issuance of treasury stock	44	58
Purchase of treasury stock	(140)	(92)
Stock-based compensation activity	(2)	5
Dividends paid on subsidiary common stock to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(15)
Joint venture formation and consolidation (Note 9)	(1,562)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(19)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests		(1)
Ending balance	5,041	3,516
Total PPG Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,063	3,249
Net income	2,410	13
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	58	147
Cash dividends	(84)	(87)
Issuance of treasury stock	44	58
Purchase of treasury stock	(140)	(92)
Stock-based compensation activity	(2)	5
Ending balance	4,787	3,293
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	259	197
Net income	35	38
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(3)	4
Dividends paid on subsidiary common stock to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(15)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(19)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests		(1)
Ending balance	254	223
Asian Paints Ltd. [Member] | Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Joint venture formation and consolidation (Note 9)	$ 0