Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Oct. 28, 2022
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-06714
Entity Registrant Name	GRAHAM HOLDINGS CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	53-0182885
Entity Address, Address Line One	1300 North 17th Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Arlington
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	22209
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	345-6300
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	GHC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000104889
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		964,001
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,837,643