| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES. (by policy) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2015 |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Nature of operations | T. Rowe Price Group derives its consolidated revenues and net income primarily from investment advisory services that its subsidiaries provide to individual and institutional investors in the sponsored T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds and other investment portfolios. We also provide our investment advisory clients with related administrative services, including distribution, mutual fund transfer agent, accounting and shareholder services; participant recordkeeping and transfer agent services for defined contribution retirement plans; brokerage, and trust services. Investment advisory revenues depend largely on the total value and composition of assets under our management. Accordingly, fluctuations in financial markets and in the composition of assets under management impact our revenues and results of operations. |
| Basis of preparation - basis of accounting | These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. |
| Basis of preparation - use of estimates | These principles require that we make certain estimates and assumptions. Actual results may vary from our estimates. |
| Consolidation | Our financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and sponsored portfolios in which we have a controlling financial interest. We are generally deemed to have a controlling financial interest when we own the majority of the voting interest of an entity or are considered to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. We have determined that the sponsored portfolios in which we have investments at December 31, 2014 and 2015 , are voting interest entities and, as a result, have consolidated those sponsored portfolios in which we own a majority of the voting interest. If we determine that we no longer have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or a sponsored portfolio, we deconsolidate the carrying value of their assets and liabilities and record our remaining equity interest, if any, at its fair value. Any gain or loss realized upon deconsolidation is included in non-operating investment income in our consolidated statements of income. |
| New accounting pronouncements | We will implement Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02 - Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis on January 1, 2016, using the modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of this new guidance will increase the number of sponsored fund investments that we consolidate, either because we own the majority of the voting interest of those U.S. mutual funds or because we are considered the primary beneficiary of those investment vehicles outside the U.S. that will be required to be analyzed as variable interest entities. As a result, the underlying assets and liabilities of the consolidated funds will be included in our consolidated balance sheet, and we will recognize redeemable non-controlling interest for the portion of the consolidated funds that are owned by a third-party investor. Additionally, the change in fair value of the consolidated funds, net of taxes, will begin to be recognized in net income instead of other comprehensive income as they will no longer be accounted for as available-for-sale investments. We are evaluating the effect ASU 2015-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. |
| Cash equivalents | Cash equivalents consist primarily of short-term, highly liquid investments in our sponsored money market mutual funds. The cost of these funds is equivalent to fair value. |
| Investments in sponsored funds - available for sale | These are investments we have made for both general corporate investment purposes and to provide seed capital for newly formed funds. These sponsored funds were determined to be voting interest entities and are classified as available-for-sale. These investments are carried at fair value using the quoted closing net asset value, or NAV, per share of each fund as of the balance sheet date. Changes in net unrealized holding gains or losses on these investments are recognized in other comprehensive income. We review the carrying amount of each investment on a quarterly basis and recognize an impairment charge in non-operating investment income whenever an unrealized loss is considered other than temporary. In determining whether a fund holding is other-than-temporarily impaired, we consider various factors, including the duration of time it has existed, the severity of the impairment, any subsequent changes in value, and our intent and ability to hold the fund for a period of time sufficient for an anticipated recovery in fair value. Subject to the other considerations noted above, we believe a fund holding with an unrealized loss that has persisted daily throughout the six months between quarter-ends is generally presumed to have an other-than-temporary impairment. We may also recognize an other-than-temporary impairment if particular circumstances of the underlying investment do not warrant our belief that a near-term recovery is possible. |
| Other investments - cost and equity method investments | Cost method investments consist of investments in entities over which we do not exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Equity method investments consist of investments in entities, including sponsored portfolios, over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The carrying values of these investments are adjusted to reflect our proportionate share of the investee's net income or loss, any unrealized gain or loss resulting from the translation of foreign denominated financial statements into U.S. dollars, and dividends received. Our proportionate share of income or loss is included in non-operating investment income in the consolidated statements of income. As permitted under existing accounting guidance, we adopted a policy by which we recognize our share of UTI Asset Management Company Limited’s (UTI) earnings on a quarter lag as current financial information is not available in a timely manner. The basis difference between our carrying value and our proportionate share of UTI’s book value is primarily related to consideration paid in excess of the stepped-up basis of assets and liabilities on the date of purchase. We evaluate our equity and cost method investments for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment exceeds its fair value, and the decline in fair value is other than temporary. |
| Other investments - trading securities | Investments held as trading consist of the underlying securities of sponsored portfolios in which we have a controlling financial interest and sponsored portfolio investments we expect to hold for only a short period of time. These investments are generally the initial seed investments we make at the portfolio's formation. If we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the sponsored portfolio, we will consolidate the investment, and the portfolio's underlying securities are accounted for as trading securities. These investments are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in non-operating investment income. The valuation policies, methods, and sources for these investments are the same as those employed by the T. Rowe Price U.S. mutual funds to price similar investment holdings as further described under our revenue recognition policy below. |
| Concentrations of risk | Concentration of credit risk in accounts receivable is believed to be minimal in that our clients generally have substantial assets, including those in the investment portfolios that we manage for them. Our investments in sponsored funds and investments held as trading expose us to market risk, that is, the potential future loss of value that would result from a decline in the fair value of each investment or its underlying net assets. Our underlying holdings of our assets under management are also subject to market risk, which may arise from changes in equity prices, credit ratings, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. |
| Property and equipment | Property and equipment is stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization computed using the straight-line method. Provisions for depreciation and amortization are based on the following weighted-average estimated useful lives: computer and communications software and equipment, 4 years; buildings and improvements, 33 years; leasehold improvements, 8 years; furniture and other equipment, 7 years; and leased land, 99 years. |
| Goodwill | We evaluate the carrying amount of goodwill in our consolidated balance sheets for possible impairment on an annual basis in the third quarter of each year using a fair value approach. Our evaluations have indicated that no impairment exists. We internally conduct, manage, and report our operations as one investment advisory business. We do not have distinct operating segments or components that separately constitute a business. Accordingly, we attribute goodwill to a single reportable business segment and reporting unit—our investment advisory business. |
| Revenue recognition - investment advisory, distribution, and servicing fees | Fees for investment advisory services, which are based on a percentage of assets under management, and related administrative services that we provide to investment advisory clients, including our sponsored funds and portfolios, are recognized in the period that our services are provided. Our assets under management are valued in accordance with a valuation and pricing policy that defines the valuation and pricing processes for each major type of investment held in our sponsored U.S. mutual funds and other client investment portfolios. Fair values used in our processes are primarily determined from quoted market prices; prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities; or from data provided by an independent pricing service that considers yield or price of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type. Investments for which market prices are not readily available are not a material portion of our total assets under management. Distribution and servicing fees earned from 12b-1 plans of the Advisor Class, R Class, and Variable Annuity II Class shares of our sponsored U.S. mutual funds are recognized in the period that they are earned, which is the same period that the related mutual funds recognize their expense. These fees are offset entirely by the distribution and servicing costs paid to third-party financial intermediaries that source the assets of these share classes. We provide all services to the sponsored U.S. mutual funds under contracts that are subject to periodic review and approval by the funds’ Boards. Regulations require that the funds’ shareholders also approve material changes to investment advisory contracts. |
| Revenue recognition - taxes billed to clients | Taxes billed to our clients based on our fees for services rendered are not included in revenues. |
| Advertising | Costs of advertising are expensed the first time that the advertising takes place. |
| Stock-based compensation | We maintain three stockholder-approved employee long-term incentive plans (2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, collectively the LTI Plans) and two stockholder-approved non-employee director plans (2007 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan and 1998 Director Stock Option Plan). We believe that our stock-based compensation programs align the interests of our employees and directors with those of our common stockholders. As of December 31, 2015 , a total of 12,907,212 shares were available for future grant under the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2007 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan. Under our LTI Plans, we have issued restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees that settle in shares of our common stock after vesting. Vesting of these awards is based on the individual continuing to render service over an average 5.5 -year graded schedule. All restricted shareholders and restricted stock unit holders receive non-forfeitable cash dividends and cash dividend equivalents, respectively, on our dividend payable date. We grant performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units to certain executive officers in which the number of restricted shares or restricted stock units ultimately retained is determined based on achievement of certain performance thresholds. The number of restricted shares or restricted stock units retained is also subject to the same time-based vesting requirement as the other restricted shares or restricted stock units described above. Cash dividends and cash dividend equivalents are accrued and paid to the holders of performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units only after the performance period has lapsed and the performance thresholds have been met. Under our LTI plans, we have granted qualified incentive and nonqualified fixed stock options with a maximum term of 10 years to employees. Vesting of our employee option grants is based on the individual continuing to render service and generally occurs over an average 5.5 -year graded schedule. The exercise price of each option granted is equivalent to the market price of the common stock at the date of grant. We grant options, with a maximum term of 10 years, restricted shares and restricted stock units to non-employee directors under the stockholder approved 2007 Non-Employee Director Plan. These grants vest over six months to one year and, in the case of restricted stock units, are settled upon the non-employee directors’ departure from the Board. Non-employee directors holding restricted shares receive non-forfeitable dividends while restricted stock unit holders are issued non-forfeitable dividend equivalents in the form of vested stock units on our dividend payable date. We recognize the grant-date fair value of these awards as compensation expense ratably over the awards' requisite service period. The expense recognized includes an estimate of awards that will be forfeited and considers, in the case of our performance-based restricted shares and units, the probability of the performance thresholds being met. Both time-based and performance-based restricted shares and units are valued on the grant-date using the closing market price of our common stock. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option grant as follows: Weighted-average 2013 2014 2015 Grant-date fair value per option awarded $ 19.56 $ 21.12 $ 17.35 Assumptions used: Expected life in years 7.0 7.0 7.0 Expected volatility 31 % 30 % 27 % Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.2 % 2.4 % Risk-free interest rate 1.9 % 2.2 % 1.9 % Our expected life assumptions are based on the vesting period for each option grant and our historical experience with respect to the average holding period from vesting to option exercise. The assumptions for expected volatility are based on historical experience for the same periods as our expected lives. Dividend yields are based on recent historical experience and future expectations. Risk-free interest rates are set using grant-date U.S. Treasury yield curves for the same periods as our expected lives. |
| Earnings per share | We compute our basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method, which considers our outstanding restricted shares and stock units, on which we pay non-forfeitable dividends as if they were a separate class of stock. |
| Comprehensive income | The components of comprehensive income are presented in a separate statement following our consolidated statements of income and include net income, the change in net unrealized security holding gains (losses), and the change in our currency translation adjustments. The currency translation adjustments result from translating our proportionate share of the financial statements of UTI, our equity method investment, and certain consolidated investment portfolios into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated using weighted-average exchange rates for the period. The change in net unrealized security holding gains (losses) included those related to the debt securities held by our savings bank subsidiary up until December 2013 when we completed the sale of the bank. The investments held by the savings bank were in marketable debt securities, including mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and were classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. The changes in accumulated balances of each component of other comprehensive income, the deferred tax impacts of each component, and information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income are presented in the notes to the financial statements. The notes also indicate the line item of our consolidated income statements to which the significant reclassifications were recognized. |
