Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 01, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ALLETE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000066756
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,989,608,714
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,817,714
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013