Loans to Banking Clients and Related Allowance for Loan Losses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total nonaccrual loans	$ 47	$ 52
Loans accruing interest contractually 90 days or more past due	0	0
Nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned	$ 52	$ 56
Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to principal amount of loan	100.00%	100.00%

Minimum fair value percentage of collateral to ensure adequate collateralization of the principal amount of personal loans secured by securities.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	schw_CollateralRequirementsMinimumPercentageCollateralToFairValueOfSecuritiesLoanedUnderSecurityLendingTransactions
Namespace Prefix:	schw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	schw_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountNonperformingAssets
Namespace Prefix:	schw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Recorded investment in financing receivables that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the carrying amount of loans deemed to be questionable as to collection on which no interest is continuing to be recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5111-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant