Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Segment	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments (in segments)			4
Revenue	$ 1,263	$ 1,152	$ 3,761	$ 3,496
Operating Profit	366	395	1,261	1,087
S&P Ratings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	604	540	1,837	1,701
Operating Profit	183	230	730	748
S&P Capital IQ
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	311	293	919	868
Operating Profit	64	50	172	149
S&P DJ Indices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	143	124	412	363
Operating Profit	86	77	260	218
C&C
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	227	213	657	621
Operating Profit	71	87	217	214
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(22)	(18)	(64)	(57)
Operating Profit	0	0	0	0
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,263	1,152	3,761	3,496
Operating Profit	404	444	1,379	1,329
Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Operating Profit	(38)	(49)	(118)	(242)
Initial Charge Recorded	7		7
Growth and value plan | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		10		64
Pre-tax legal settlements | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		$ 77