Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	$ 24		$ 73		$ (229)
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	250		(130)		(9)
Reclassification adjustment	(22)	[1]	(39)	[1]	(48)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	228		(169)		(57)
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		(2)		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		732		0
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	30	[1]	38	[1]	68	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	30		768		68
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	6		9		171
Reclassification adjustment	(4)	[1]	(1)	[1]	(170)	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	2		8		1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	284		680		(217)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	13		38		(80)
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	(88)		55		3
Reclassification adjustment	9	[1]	14	[1]	18	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	(79)		69		21
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		1		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		(303)		0
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	(11)	[1]	(17)	[1]	(25)	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	(11)		(319)		(25)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	0		(3)		(70)
Reclassification adjustment	(1)	[1]	0	[1]	70	[1]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(1)		(3)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(78)		(215)		(84)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period	37		111		(309)
Unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period	162		(75)		(6)
Reclassification adjustment	(13)	[1]	(25)	[1]	(30)	[1]
Total unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale	149		(100)		(36)
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		(1)		0
Net loss arising during the period	0		429		0
Amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost	19	[1]	21	[1]	43	[1]
Total defined benefit plans	19		449		43
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized hedge gain (loss) arising during period	6		6		101
Reclassification adjustment	(5)	[1]	(1)	[1]	(100)	[1]
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	1		5		1
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 206	[2]	$ 465	[2]	$ (301)	[2]

[1] The reclassification adjustment related to the unrealized gain (loss) on assets available-for-sale is recorded as net securities gains on the Consolidated Income Statement. The amortization of prior service credit, net loss and initial obligation included in net periodic benefit cost is recorded as staff expense on the Consolidated Income Statement. See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the location of the reclassification adjustment related to cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Income Statement.

[2] Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation shareholders was $203 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, $447 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013 and $(272) million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.