The Charles Schwab Corporation – Parent Company Only Financial Statements (Condensed Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 1,071	$ 928	$ 864
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for deferred income taxes	(21)	5	52
Other	15	26	9
Net change in:
Other securities owned	119	(43)	(231)
Other assets	17	10	(15)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	400	(237)	(183)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,656	1,266	2,464
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Other investing activities	2	3	7
Net cash used for investing activities	(20,050)	(16,260)	(8,667)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Issuance of commercial paper		300
Repayment of commercial paper	(300)
Issuance of long-term debt	275	350
Repayment of long-term debt	(6)	(732)	(116)
Premium paid on debt exchange		(19)
Net proceeds from preferred stock offering		863
Dividends paid	(368)	(337)	(295)
Proceeds from stock options exercised and other	258	35	96
Other financing activities	5	(5)	2
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	13,459	18,978	9,951
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(4,935)	3,984	3,748
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	12,663	8,679	4,931
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	7,728	12,663	8,679
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	1,071	928	864
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	(830)	(662)	(591)
Provision for deferred income taxes	(11)	9	3
Other	(4)	39	1
Net change in:
Other securities owned	(5)	3	6
Other assets	29	(21)	26
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	13	(5)	(76)
Net cash provided by operating activities	263	291	233
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Due from subsidiaries - net	(546)	43	24
Increase in investments in subsidiaries	(225)	(307)	(366)
Other investing activities	(1)		8
Net cash used for investing activities	(772)	(264)	(334)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Issuance of commercial paper		300
Repayment of commercial paper	(300)
Issuance of long-term debt	275	350
Repayment of long-term debt		(727)
Premium paid on debt exchange		(19)
Net proceeds from preferred stock offering		863
Dividends paid	(368)	(337)	(295)
Proceeds from stock options exercised and other	258	35	96
Other financing activities	5	(5)	3
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(130)	460	(196)
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(639)	487	(297)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	1,339	852	1,149
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 700	$ 1,339	$ 852