Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,250	$ 1,194	$ 1,250	$ 1,181	$ 1,226	$ 1,116	$ 1,072	$ 1,035	$ 4,875	$ 4,450	$ 3,954
Operating profit	284	407	436	278	347	275	308	282	1,405	1,211	1,077
Net income from continuing operations	190	265	273	174	211	172	180	163	903	726	626
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(2)	(20)	4	581	(404)	165	40	(36)	563	(234)	308
Net income (loss)	188	245	277	755	(193)	337	220	127	1,466	492	934
Net income attributable to McGraw Hill Financial common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations	173	235	250	153	190	151	176	158	812	676	607
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	(2)	(20)	4	582	(406)	162	39	(35)	564	(239)	304
Net income (loss)	$ 171	$ 215	$ 254	$ 735	$ (216)	$ 314	$ 216	$ 123	$ 1,376	$ 437	$ 911
Basic:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.86	$ 0.91	$ 0.55	$ 0.68	$ 0.54	$ 0.63	$ 0.57	$ 2.96	$ 2.43	$ 2.03
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ 2.07	$ (1.46)	$ 0.58	$ 0.14	$ (0.13)	$ 2.05	$ (0.86)	$ 1.02
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.79	$ 0.93	$ 2.62	$ (0.78)	$ 1.13	$ 0.77	$ 0.44	$ 5.01	$ 1.57	$ 3.05
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.84	$ 0.90	$ 0.54	$ 0.67	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.56	$ 2.90	$ 2.37	$ 2.00
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ 2.05	$ (1.43)	$ 0.57	$ 0.14	$ (0.13)	$ 2.01	$ (0.84)	$ 1.00
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.77	$ 0.91	$ 2.59	$ (0.76)	$ 1.10	$ 0.76	$ 0.43	$ 4.91	$ 1.53	$ 3.00