Document and Entity Information	Aug. 23, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORPORATION
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001390777
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Aug. 23, 2019
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-35651
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-2614959
Entity Address, Address Line One	240 Greenwich Street
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10286
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	495-1784
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock [Member]
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	BK
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares, each representing 1/4,000th of a share of Series C Noncumulative Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	BK PrC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock [Member]
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.244% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Normal Preferred Capital Securities of Mellon Capital IV
Trading Symbol	BK/P
Security Exchange Name	NYSE