Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 2,228	$ 1,268	$ (13)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(132)	(111)	(108)
Income tax effect	(7)	1	2
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	(139)	(110)	(106)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(27)	34	(357)
Income tax effect	(10)	(9)	142
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	(37)	25	(215)
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward exchange contracts	4	(1)	4
Income tax effect	(1)	0	(1)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments and forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	3	(1)	3
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,055	1,182	(331)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(13)	(11)	(10)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(109)	(101)	(92)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$ 1,933	$ 1,070	$ (433)