Operating Segments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable operating segments | segment	3
Financial Information of Operating Segment [Abstract]
Net interest income	$ 12,311	$ 12,238
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	845	191
Noninterest income	9,298	9,696
Noninterest expense	13,916	15,042
Income before income tax expense	6,848	6,701
Income tax expense (benefit)	881	1,374
Net income before noncontrolling interests	5,967	5,327
Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests	107	191
Wells Fargo net income	5,860	5,136
Average loans	950,000	951,000
Average assets	1,883,100	1,915,900
Average Deposits	1,262,100	1,297,200
Other [Member]
Financial Information of Operating Segment [Abstract]
Net interest income	(572)	(601)
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	(3)	(1)
Noninterest income	(759)	(816)
Noninterest expense	(914)	(928)
Income before income tax expense	(414)	(488)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(104)	(122)
Net income before noncontrolling interests	(310)	(366)
Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests	0	0
Wells Fargo net income	(310)	(366)
Average loans	(59,000)	(58,500)
Average assets	(60,000)	(59,400)
Average Deposits	(66,500)	(74,200)
Community Banking [Member]
Financial Information of Operating Segment [Abstract]
Net interest income	7,248	7,195
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	710	218
Noninterest income	4,502	4,635
Noninterest expense	7,689	8,702
Income before income tax expense	3,351	2,910
Income tax expense (benefit)	424	809
Net income before noncontrolling interests	2,927	2,101
Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests	104	188
Wells Fargo net income	2,823	1,913
Average loans	458,200	470,500
Average assets	1,015,400	1,061,900
Average Deposits	765,600	747,500
Wholesale Banking [Member]
Financial Information of Operating Segment [Abstract]
Net interest income	4,534	4,532
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	134	(20)
Noninterest income	2,577	2,747
Noninterest expense	3,838	3,978
Income before income tax expense	3,139	3,321
Income tax expense (benefit)	369	448
Net income before noncontrolling interests	2,770	2,873
Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests	0	(2)
Wells Fargo net income	2,770	2,875
Average loans	476,400	465,100
Average assets	844,500	829,200
Average Deposits	409,800	446,000
Wealth and Investment Management [Member]
Financial Information of Operating Segment [Abstract]
Net interest income	1,101	1,112
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	4	(6)
Noninterest income	2,978	3,130
Noninterest expense	3,303	3,290
Income before income tax expense	772	958
Income tax expense (benefit)	192	239
Net income before noncontrolling interests	580	719
Less: Net income from noncontrolling interests	3	5
Wells Fargo net income	577	714
Average loans	74,400	73,900
Average assets	83,200	84,200
Average Deposits	$ 153,200	$ 177,900