Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 962	$ 1,449	$ 956
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(369)	388	29
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period		183	(77)	239
Reclassification adjustment		(7)	19	(1)
Total unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale		176	(58)	238
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period		0	(1)	0
Net (loss) gain arising during the period		0	(78)	(9)
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost		18	4	10
Total defined benefit plans		18	(75)	1
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges		(11)	4	5
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	[1]	(186)	259	273
Total comprehensive income		776	1,708	1,229
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		18	(9)	(10)
Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		2	(4)	(2)
Comprehensive income applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation		796	1,695	1,217
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders		$ (184)	$ 255	$ 271

[1] Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders was $(184) million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, $255 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2019 and $271 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.