Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 755	$ 127
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	67	19
Income tax effect, foreign currency translation adjustment	(7)	(1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax effect	60	18
Pension and other post-retirment benefit plans	3	8
Income tax effect, pension and other post-retirment benefit plans	(3)	(3)
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of income tax effect	0	5
Unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts	8	1
Income tax effect, unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts	(4)	0
Unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts, net of income tax effect	4	1
Comprehensive income	819	151
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(7)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(18)	0
Comprehensive income attributable to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.	$ 798	$ 144