Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 923	$ 281	$ 1,659	$ 992
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14)	(45)	(55)	(78)
Income tax effect	3	1	3	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	(11)	(44)	(52)	(78)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	3	5	19	59
Income tax effect	(1)	(1)	(5)	(19)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	2	4	14	40
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward exchange contracts	1	(1)	4	(1)
Income tax effect	0	0	(1)	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	1	(1)	3	(1)
Comprehensive income	915	240	1,624	953
Less: comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(2)	(3)	(8)	(7)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(29)	(26)	(82)	(76)
Comprehensive income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$ 884	$ 211	$ 1,534	$ 870