Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 Segment	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	4		4
Revenue	$ 1,346	$ 1,250	$ 2,581	$ 2,431
Operating Profit	486	436	916	714
S&P Ratings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	664	599	1,233	1,161
Operating Profit	308	268	548	517
S&P Capital IQ
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	307	287	608	575
Operating Profit	54	49	107	99
S&P DJ Indices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	133	123	269	238
Operating Profit	82	77	174	141
C&C
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	263	259	514	496
Operating Profit	83	83	159	143
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(21)	(18)	(43)	(39)
Operating Profit	0	0	0	0
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,346	1,250	2,581	2,431
Operating Profit	527	477	988	900
Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Operating Profit	(41)	(41)	(72)	(186)
Growth and value plan | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		10		54
Pre-tax legal settlements | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		$ 77