| Document and Entity Information | Sep. 26, 2019 |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001390777 |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 26, 2019 |
| Entity Registrant Name | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORPORATION |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity File Number | 001-35651 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 13-2614959 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 240 Greenwich Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10286 |
| City Area Code | 212 |
| Local Phone Number | 495-1784 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, $0.01 par value |
| Trading Symbol | BK |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Series C Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Depositary Shares, each representing 1/4,000th of a share of Series C Noncumulative Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | BK PrC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document And Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 6.244% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Normal Preferred Capital Securities of Mellon Capital IV |
| Trading Symbol | BK/P |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
