Debt Instrument, Amount Subject to Exchange

No definition available.

Name:	goog_DebtInstrumentAmountSubjecttoExchange
Namespace Prefix:	goog_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Tranches

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	goog_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Outstanding balance under the commercial paper program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	goog_OutstandingBalanceUnderCommercialPaperProgram
Namespace Prefix:	goog_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For a debtor, the aggregate gain (loss) recognized on the restructuring of payables arises from the difference between the book value of the debt before the restructuring and the fair value of the payments on the debt after restructuring is complete.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 60
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6402221&loc=d3e15743-112638

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Line-of-Credit Arrangement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6517033

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of buildings (properties) whether for investment or use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBuildings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=goog_UnsecuredSeniorNotesThreePointThreeSevenFivedueonFebruaryTwentyFiveTwentyTwentyFourMember
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=goog_UnsecuredSeniorNotesOnePointNineNineEightPercentDueAugustFifteenTwentyTwentySixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=goog_A2016NotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=goog_A2011NotesMember
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=goog_A2014NotesMember
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Debt (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($)	May 31, 2011 USD ($) Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance of commercial paper			$ 0			$ 2,000,000,000
Weighted average yield for commercial paper outstanding						0.20%
Payments to acquire property	$ 220,000,000
Gain (loss) on modification of debt		$ 0
Estimated fair value of long-term debt			$ 3,900,000,000			$ 3,100,000,000
Alphabet Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued		1,700,000,000
3.625% Notes due on May 19, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate			3.734%
3.375% Notes due on February 25, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate			3.377%
1.998% Notes due on August 15, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate			2.231%
Unsecured debt \| 2016 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued				$ 2,000,000,000.0
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing on short term lines of credit					$ 5,000,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing on short term lines of credit					$ 4,000,000,000.0
Line of credit drawn			$ 0			0
Google \| Alphabet Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt subject to exchange		$ 1,700,000,000
Google \| Unsecured debt \| 2011 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued								$ 3,000,000,000.0
Number of unsecured senior notes tranches (in tranches) \| Loan								3
Google \| Unsecured debt \| 2014 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued							$ 1,000,000,000.0
Google \| Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing on short term lines of credit						3,000,000,000.0
Google \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing on short term lines of credit						$ 3,000,000,000.0