Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations attributable to Graham Holdings Company common stockholders	$ 369,672	$ 46,626	$ 500,698	$ 68,317
Less: Dividends-common stock outstanding and unvested restricted shares	(14,819)	0	(52,494)	0
Undistributed earnings	354,853	46,626	448,204	68,317
Percent allocated to common stockholders	97.88%	97.40%	97.88%	97.40%
Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Common Stockholders	347,342	45,415	438,716	66,543
Add: Dividends-common stock outstanding	14,506	0	51,556	0
Numerator for basic earnings per share	361,848	45,415	490,272	66,543
Add: Additional undistributed earnings due to dilutive stock options	31	1	40	1
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$ 361,879	$ 45,416	$ 490,312	$ 66,544
Weighted average shares outstanding	7,284	7,229	7,280	7,228
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	7,308	7,233	7,304	7,231
Graham Holdings Company Common Stockholders:
Basic income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 49.68	$ 6.28	$ 67.35	$ 9.21
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations in dollars per share	$ 49.52	$ 6.28	$ 67.13	$ 9.21
Stock Option Plan [Member]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Add: Effect of dilutive stock options	24	4	24	3