Cover Page	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022 shares
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36609
Entity Registrant Name	NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-2723087
Entity Address, Address Line One	50 South LaSalle Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago,
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60603
City Area Code	312
Local Phone Number	630-6000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)	208,386,524
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000073124
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Common Stock, $1.66 2/3 Par Value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.66 2/3 Par Value
Trading Symbol	NTRS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series E Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of Series E Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
Trading Symbol	NTRSO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ