Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Impact of all Retrospective Adjustments Made to Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Products and systems				$ 29,196	[1]	$ 28,909	[1]	$ 27,674	[1]
Gross profit				6,778		6,148		6,059
Income before income taxes				2,465		1,520		1,790
Provision for income taxes				1,168		209		258
Net income				1,297		1,311		1,532
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.				1,178		1,184		1,415
Basic				$ 1.72		$ 1.74		$ 2.09
Diluted				$ 1.71		$ 1.72		$ 2.06
Comprehensive income				1,258		1,119		1,382
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Inventories				2,325		2,343
Other current assets				2,308		2,827
Retained earnings				9,328		8,611		7,950
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.				1,178		1,184		1,415
Net income				1,297		1,311		1,532
Deferred income taxes				273		(234)		(256)
Inventories				(97)		109		(388)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Retained earnings - beginning of year			8,611	8,611		7,950		7,002
Retained earnings - end of year				9,328		8,611		7,950
Recognized Under Previous Method [Member]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Products and systems				29,207		28,839		27,675
Gross profit				6,767		6,218		6,058
Income before income taxes				2,454		1,590		1,789
Provision for income taxes				1,164		237		257
Net income				1,290		1,353		1,532
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.				1,171		1,226		1,415
Basic				$ 1.71		$ 1.80		$ 2.09
Diluted				$ 1.70		$ 1.78		$ 2.06
Comprehensive income				1,251		1,161		1,382
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Inventories				2,198		2,227
Other current assets				2,358		2,873
Retained earnings				9,251		8,541		7,838
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.				1,171		1,226		1,415
Net income				1,290		1,353		1,532
Deferred income taxes				269		(206)		(257)
Inventories				(86)		39		(387)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Retained earnings - beginning of year			8,541	8,541		7,838		6,890
Retained earnings - end of year				9,251		8,541		7,838
Effect Of Change [Member]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Products and systems				(11)		70		(1)
Gross profit				11		(70)		1
Income before income taxes				11		(70)		1
Provision for income taxes				4		(28)		1
Net income				7		(42)		0
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	(21)	16	5	7		(42)		0
Basic				$ 0.01		$ (0.06)		$ 0.00
Diluted	$ (0.03)	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ (0.06)		$ 0.00
Comprehensive income				7		(42)		0
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Inventories				127		116
Other current assets				(50)		(46)
Retained earnings				77		70		112
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Johnson Controls, Inc.	(21)	16	5	7		(42)		0
Net income				7		(42)		0
Deferred income taxes				4		(28)		1
Inventories				(11)		70		(1)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Retained earnings - beginning of year			70	70		112		112
Retained earnings - end of year				$ 77		$ 70		$ 112

[1] Products and systems consist of Automotive Experience and Power Solutions products and systems and Building Efficiency installed systems. Services are Building Efficiency technical and Global Workplace Solutions.