v3.22.1

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Change in Accounts Receivable and Current Deferred Revenue (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, balance	$ 592,326	$ 506,849	$ 664,511	$ 558,569
Accounts receivable, Increase/(decrease)	(72,185)	(51,720)
Deferred revenue	832,203	672,054	$ 824,912	$ 675,870
Deferred revenue, Increase/(decrease)	$ 7,291	$ (3,816)

X

- Definition

Accounts receivable increase (decrease).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Contract with customer liability increase (decrease).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	msci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount, after allowance for credit loss, of right to consideration from customer for product sold and service rendered in normal course of business.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 954
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123366838&loc=d3e3073-115593

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable, classified as current.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123360276&loc=SL49130531-203044

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123360276&loc=SL49130532-203044

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123351226&loc=SL49130549-203045

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

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