Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 4,322		$ 4,322	$ 3,446
Net income	371		396	2,816	447
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(39)		(146)	16	5
Cash dividends				(171)	(177)
Issuance of treasury stock				60	80
Purchase of treasury stock				(140)	(92)
Stock-based compensation activity				14	19
Increase in treasury stock as a result of tender offer, noncash financing activity		1,562		(1,562)
Dividends paid on subsidiary common stock to noncontrolling interests				(38)	(52)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests				(16)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests					(1)
Ending balance	5,301		3,675	5,301	3,675
Total PPG Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		4,063		4,063	3,249
Net income				2,751	375
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				27	7
Cash dividends				(171)	(177)
Issuance of treasury stock				60	80
Purchase of treasury stock				(140)	(92)
Stock-based compensation activity				14	19
Increase in treasury stock as a result of tender offer, noncash financing activity				(1,562)
Ending balance	5,042		3,461	5,042	3,461
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders of the commodity chemicals business.					13
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		259		259	197
Net income				65	72
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(11)	(2)
Cash dividends				0
Issuance of treasury stock				0
Purchase of treasury stock				0
Stock-based compensation activity				0
Increase in treasury stock as a result of tender offer, noncash financing activity				0
Dividends paid on subsidiary common stock to noncontrolling interests				(38)	(52)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests				(16)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests					(1)
Ending balance	$ 259		$ 214	$ 259	$ 214