Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,913	$ 5,069
Net income	339	354
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	287	56
Cash dividends	(103)	(96)
Issuance of treasury stock	34	34
Purchase of treasury stock	(163)	(150)
Stock-based compensation activity	(16)	(16)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(5)	(3)
Ending balance	5,286	5,248
Total PPG Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,826	4,983
Net income	334	347
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	280	59
Cash dividends	(103)	(96)
Issuance of treasury stock	34	34
Purchase of treasury stock	(163)	(150)
Stock-based compensation activity	(16)	(16)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	0	0
Ending balance	5,192	5,161
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	87	86
Net income	5	7
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7	(3)
Cash dividends	0	0
Issuance of treasury stock	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0
Stock-based compensation activity	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	(5)	(3)
Ending balance	$ 94	$ 87