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Commitments and Contingencies - Rental Expense for Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |
Gross rental expense | $ 177 | $ 179 | $ 182
Less: sublease revenue | (17) | (16) | (14)
Less: rent credit | 0 | 0 | (4)
Net rental expense | $ 160 | $ 163 | $ 164

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- Definition Lease And Rental Expense Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | spgi_LeaseAndRentalExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | spgi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Rent credit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | spgi_RentCredit
Namespace Prefix: | spgi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The amount of revenue recognized for the period under subleasing arrangements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77891322&loc=d3e41620-112719 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementSubleaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration