Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 430	$ 323
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	30	14
Income tax effect	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	30	14
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	4	4
Income tax effect	(1)	(1)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	3	3
Unrealized gain on forward exchange contracts	7	3
Income tax effect	(2)	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	5	3
Comprehensive income	468	343
Less: comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(1)	(3)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(30)	(26)
Comprehensive income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$ 437	$ 314