Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Entity File Number	001-13913
Entity Registrant Name	WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	51-0261715
Entity Address, Address Line One	6300 Lamar Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Overland Park
Entity Address, State or Province	KS
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	66202
City Area Code	913
Local Phone Number	236-2000
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	WDR
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,622,663
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001052100
Amendment Flag	false