Accounting Changes and New Accounting Guidance (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.93	[1],[2]	$ 0.48	[1],[2]	$ 0.82	[1],[2]	$ 1.98	[1],[2]	$ 1.30	[1],[2]
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.93	[1],[2]	$ 0.48	[1],[2]	$ 0.82	[1],[2]	$ 1.97	[1],[2]	$ 1.30	[1],[2]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Total fee and other revenue	$ 3,867	[3]	$ 3,009	[4]	$ 3,003	[5],[6]	$ 9,775	[7]	$ 9,126	[5],[8]
Income before income taxes	1,662		811		1,002	[1]	3,399		3,049	[1]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	556		217		19	[1]	1,005		1,420	[1]
Net income (loss)	1,106		594		983	[1]	2,394		1,629	[1]
Net income (loss) applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation	1,083		577		975	[1]	2,334		1,565	[1]
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation	1,070		554		962	[1]	2,285		1,527	[1]
As previously reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Basic (usd per share)					$ 0.83				$ 1.31
Diluted (usd per share)					$ 0.82				$ 1.30
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income before income taxes					986				3,001
Provision (benefit) for income taxes					(2)				1,365
Net income (loss)					988				1,636
Net income (loss) applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation					980				1,572
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation					967				1,534
Adjustments
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income before income taxes					16				48
Provision (benefit) for income taxes					21				55
Net income (loss)					(5)				(7)
Net income (loss) applicable to shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation					(5)				(7)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation					(5)				(7)
Operations
Income Statement [Abstract]
Investment and other income	890		142		151	[1]	1,134		524	[1]
Total fee revenue	3,831		2,962		2,957	[1]	9,654		8,940	[1]
Total fee and other revenue	3,851		2,980		2,979	[1]	9,714		9,042	[1]
Operations | As previously reported
Income Statement [Abstract]
Investment and other income					135				476
Total fee revenue					2,941				8,892
Total fee and other revenue					2,963				8,994
Operations | Adjustments
Income Statement [Abstract]
Investment and other income					16				48
Total fee revenue					16				48
Total fee and other revenue					$ 16				$ 48

[1] Results for the third quarter of 2013 and the first nine months of 2013 were restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting new accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2014 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

[2] Basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method are determined on the net income applicable to common shareholders of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation reported on the income statement less earnings allocated to participating securities, and the change in the excess of redeemable value over the fair value of noncontrolling interests, if applicable.

[3] Both total fee and other revenue and total revenue include income from consolidated investment management funds of $39 million, net of noncontrolling interests of $23 million, for a net impact of $16 million. Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of $23 million.

[4] Both total fee and other revenue and total revenue include income from consolidated investment management funds of $46 million, net of noncontrolling interests of $17 million, for a net impact of $29 million. Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of $17 million.

[5] Consolidated results and Other segment results have been restated to reflect the retrospective application of adopting new accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2014 related to our investments in qualified affordable housing projects (ASU 2014-01). See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

[6] Both total fee and other revenue and total revenue include income from consolidated investment management funds of $32 million, net of noncontrolling interests of $8 million, for a net impact of $24 million. Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of $8 million.

[7] Both total fee and other revenue and total revenue include income from consolidated investment management funds of $121 million, net of noncontrolling interests of $60 million, for a net impact of $61 million. Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of $60 million.

[8] Both total fee and other revenue and total revenue include income from consolidated investment management funds of $147 million, net of noncontrolling interests of $63 million, for a net impact of $84 million. Income before taxes is net of noncontrolling interests of $63 million.