Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$ 131,026	$ 50,331	$ 53,659	$ 46,626	$ 21,691	$ 172,307	$ 51,379
Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(37,675)				0
Undistributed earnings	93,351				21,691
Percent allocated to common stockholders	98.33%				97.38%
Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Common Stockholders	91,790				21,122
Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	37,044				0
Numerator for basic earnings per share	128,834				21,122
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	5				0
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 128,839				$ 21,122
Weighted average shares outstanding	7,275				7,227
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,301				7,228
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 17.71	$ 6.82	$ 7.23	$ 6.28	$ 2.92	$ 23.44	$ 6.54
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 17.65	$ 6.80	$ 7.22	$ 6.28	$ 2.92	$ 23.40	$ 6.54
Stock Option Plan [Member]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	26				1