<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>251</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>300</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>89</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/UnauditedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/UnauditedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/UnauditedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/UnauditedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/UnauditedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInEquityParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Processing System Intrusion</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ProcessingSystemIntrusion</Role>
      <ShortName>Processing System Intrusion</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SettlementProcessingAssetsAndObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/BusinessAndIntangibleAssetAcquisitionsAndJointVentures</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt And Credit Facilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/LongTermDebtAndCreditFacilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt And Credit Facilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Income Tax</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/IncomeTax</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptions</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling Interests</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/NoncontrollingInterests</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncontrolling Interests</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SubsequentEvent</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Event</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SettlementProcessingAssetsAndObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/BusinessAndIntangibleAssetAcquisitionsAndJointVenturesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/LongTermDebtAndCreditFacilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashAndCashEquivalentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reserve for Operating Losses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesReserveForOperatingLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reserve for Operating Losses (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401407 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401409 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Financing receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesFinancingReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Financing receivables (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401410 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings per share (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402401 - Disclosure - Processing System Intrusion (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ProcessingSystemIntrusionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Processing System Intrusion (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SettlementProcessingAssetsAndObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/BusinessAndIntangibleAssetAcquisitionsAndJointVenturesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/BusinessAndIntangibleAssetAcquisitionsAndJointVenturesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Pro Forma Information - Unaudited (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/BusinessAndIntangibleAssetAcquisitionsAndJointVenturesProFormaInformationUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Pro Forma Information - Unaudited (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsScheduleOfGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill Rollforward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill Rollforward (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Outstanding Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/LongTermDebtAndCreditFacilitiesScheduleOfOutstandingDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Schedule of Outstanding Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Lines of Credit (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/LongTermDebtAndCreditFacilitiesNarrativeLinesOfCreditDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Lines of Credit (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Term Loans and Notes Payable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/LongTermDebtAndCreditFacilitiesNarrativeTermLoansAndNotesPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Term Loans and Notes Payable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - Income Tax - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/IncomeTaxNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options - Restricted Stock Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsRestrictedStockNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options - Restricted Stock Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options - Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsRestrictedStockActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options - Restricted Stock Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Share-based Awards and Options - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Awards and Options - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options - Stock Options Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsStockOptionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options - Stock Options Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409407 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options - Stock Option Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/ShareBasedAwardsAndOptionsStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Awards and Options - Stock Option Activity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling Interests (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncontrolling Interests (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling Interests - Reconciliation of Net Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsReconciliationOfNetIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncontrolling Interests - Reconciliation of Net Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - Noncontrolling Interests - Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Non Controlling Interest (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsReconciliationOfNetIncomeAttributableToNonControllingInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Noncontrolling Interests - Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Non Controlling Interest (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.globalpaymentsinc.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Event (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SettlementAssetsCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '1005000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401405 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reserve for Operating Losses (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2401410 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Earnings per share (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2402401 - Disclosure - Processing System Intrusion (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404402 - Disclosure - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2406403 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Lines of Credit (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2406404 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities - Narrative - Term Loans and Notes Payable (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2409405 - Disclosure - Share-based Awards and Options - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409405 - Disclosure - Share-based Awards and Options - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2409407 - Disclosure - Share-Based Awards and Options - Stock Option Activity (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Feb. 28, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'May 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005501 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2013'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>gpn-20140228.xml</File>
    <File>gpn-20140228.xsd</File>
    <File>gpn-20140228_cal.xml</File>
    <File>gpn-20140228_def.xml</File>
    <File>gpn-20140228_lab.xml</File>
    <File>gpn-20140228_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
