Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses, Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit losses, beginning balance	$ 21,262	$ 25,085	$ 23,463	$ 25,031
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	1,811	3,445	5,859	12,764
Interest income on certain impaired loans (1)	(84)	(67)	(246)	(203)
Loan charge-offs	(3,135)	(4,630)	(10,476)	(15,609)
Loan recoveries	524	535	1,817	1,695
Net loan charge-offs	(2,611)	(4,095)	(8,659)	(13,914)
Allowances related to business combinations/other	(6)	4	(45)	694
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance	20,372	24,372	20,372	24,372
Components: Allowance for loan losses	20,039	23,939	20,039	23,939	23,022
Components: Reserve for unfunded credit commitments	333	433	333	433
Components: Allowance for credit losses	20,372	24,372	20,372	24,372
Net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans	1.37%	2.14%	1.54%	2.40%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans	2.64%	3.18%	2.64%	3.18%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans	2.68%	3.23%	2.68%	3.23%
Commercial and Industrial Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(349)	(588)	(1,182)	(2,165)
Loan recoveries	88	79	313	317
Commercial Real Estate Mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(119)	(236)	(483)	(881)
Loan recoveries	23	18	107	32
Commercial Real Estate Construction [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(98)	(296)	(316)	(990)
Loan recoveries	43	20	106	82
Lease Financing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(10)	(29)	(30)	(94)
Loan recoveries	7	6	20	15
Foreign Loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(25)	(49)	(121)	(148)
Loan recoveries	17	10	38	31
Total Commercial [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit losses, beginning balance	7,413	8,559	8,169	8,141
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	(242)	1,122	203	4,343
Interest income on certain impaired loans (1)	(39)	(32)	(123)	(108)
Loan charge-offs	(601)	(1,198)	(2,132)	(4,278)
Loan recoveries	178	133	584	477
Net loan charge-offs	(423)	(1,065)	(1,548)	(3,801)
Allowances related to business combinations/other	(6)	0	2	9
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance	6,703	8,584	6,703	8,584
Components: Allowance for credit losses	6,703	8,584	6,703	8,584
Other revolving credit and installment [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(421)	(572)	(1,312)	(1,864)
Loan recoveries	162	165	522	549
Real estate 1-4 family first mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(900)	(1,164)	(2,979)	(3,701)
Loan recoveries	79	130	345	347
Real estate 1-4 family junior lien mortgage [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(893)	(1,140)	(2,907)	(3,875)
Loan recoveries	51	55	162	157
Credit Card Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Loan charge-offs	(320)	(556)	(1,146)	(1,891)
Loan recoveries	54	52	204	165
Total Consumer [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for credit losses, beginning balance	13,849	16,526	15,294	16,890
Provision (reversal of provision) for credit losses	2,053	2,323	5,656	8,421
Interest income on certain impaired loans (1)	(45)	(35)	(123)	(95)
Loan charge-offs	(2,534)	(3,432)	(8,344)	(11,331)
Loan recoveries	346	402	1,233	1,218
Net loan charge-offs	(2,188)	(3,030)	(7,111)	(10,113)
Allowances related to business combinations/other	0	4	(47)	685
Allowance for credit losses, ending balance	13,669	15,788	13,669	15,788
Components: Allowance for credit losses	$ 13,669	$ 15,788	$ 13,669	$ 15,788

Reflects the amount of loans and leases that have been removed, or charged off, from both loan receivables and the reserve for credit losses, typically because they are considered to be not salvageable or have been purchased by unconsolidated collection entities.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 114

-Paragraph 20

-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.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 9

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5212-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=SL6953423-111524

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified loans and leases, as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. For banks, include currently required allocated transfer risk reserves. Include carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations determined to be appropriate.

+ References

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

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Chapter V

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph a(ii)

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 114

-Paragraph 20

-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.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 9

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 8, 9

-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.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)(1)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The sum of the periodic provision charged to earnings, based on an assessment of uncollectibility from the counterparty on account of loan, lease or other credit losses, to reduce these accounts to the amount that approximates their net realizable value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-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.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 9

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Chapter 5

-Paragraph 168, 169, 170

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-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_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 09

-Article 12

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24092-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_AllowanceForCreditLossesAsPercentageOfLoans
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_AllowanceForLoanLossesAsPercentageOfLoans
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The allowance for unfunded commitments represent the reserve to cover probable credit losses related to unfunded credit commitments.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_AllowanceForUnfundedCreditCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Certain impaired loans have a valuation allowance determined by discounting expected cash flows as the respective loan's effective interest rate. Accordingly, the valuation for these impaired loans reduces with the passage of time and that reduction is recognized as interest income.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesDecreaseForPassageOfTimeOnCertainImpairedLoans
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

+ Details

Name:	wfc_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesNetWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Other increase (decrease) to the allowance for credit losses, including allowances related to business combinations and other.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesOtherIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net loan charge offs annualized as a percentage of average total loans.

+ Details

Name:	wfc_NetLoanChargeOffsAnnualizedAsPercentageOfAverageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	wfc
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration