Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 1,268	$ (13)	$ 1,466
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(111)	(108)	93
Income tax effect	1	2	(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	(110)	(106)	91
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	34	(357)	385
Income tax effect	(9)	142	(154)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	25	(215)	231
Unrealized (loss) gain on investment and forward exchange contract	(1)	4	2
Income tax effect	0	(1)	(2)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments and forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	(1)	3	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,182	(331)	1,788
Less: comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(11)	(10)	(18)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(101)	(92)	(73)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.	$ 1,070	$ (433)	$ 1,697