Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 277	$ 220	$ 1,032	$ 347
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(23)	(42)	44	(25)
Income tax effect, foreign currency translation adjustment	4	5	(3)	6
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	(19)	(37)	41	(19)
Pension and other post-retirment benefit plans	(37)	21	(34)	28
Income tax effect, pension and other post-retirment benefit plans	9	(8)	6	(10)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	(28)	13	(28)	18
Unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts	(1)	(3)	7	(2)
Income tax effect, unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts	0	1	(4)	1
Unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	(1)	(2)	3	(1)
Comprehensive income	229	194	1,048	345
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2)	2	(5)	(5)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(20)	0	(38)	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.	$ 207	$ 196	$ 1,005	$ 340