Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Revenues, less transaction-based expenses		$ 1,298	$ 1,336	$ 1,298	$ 1,270	$ 1,308	$ 1,200	$ 1,246	$ 1,225	$ 5,202	$ 4,979	$ 4,638
Operating income		622	706	680	665	676	602	655	650	2,673	2,583	2,379
Net income attributable to Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.		$ 448	$ 529	$ 472	$ 484	$ 611	$ 458	$ 455	$ 464	$ 1,933	$ 1,988	$ 2,526
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.81	$ 0.95	$ 0.84	$ 0.85	$ 1.07	$ 0.80	$ 0.79	$ 0.80	$ 3.44	$ 3.46	$ 4.29
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.80	$ 0.94	$ 0.84	$ 0.85	$ 1.07	$ 0.79	$ 0.78	$ 0.79	$ 3.42	$ 3.43	$ 4.25
Gain on acquisition										$ 0	$ 110	$ 0
MERSCORP Holdings, Inc
Earnings per common share:
Gain on acquisition	$ 110					$ 110