Other variable compensation (Details 6) - CHF (SFr)
SFr in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 11, 2022
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation SFr 1,447 SFr 1,717 SFr 1,777  
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 1,136      
Retention Awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description The Group granted deferred cash and share retention awards during 2021 of CHF 395 million, mainly in the Investment Bank and International Wealth Management divisions. During 2020 and 2019, the Group granted deferred cash and share retention awards of CHF 40 million and CHF 40 million, respectively. These awards are expensed over the applicable vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of these awards in 2021 totaled CHF 123 million, of which CHF 103 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount SFr 395 40 40  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 123 43 22  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year 103      
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 284      
Upfront cash award        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description In February 2022, certain managing directors and directors were granted CHF 799 million of upfront cash awards as part of their 2021 variable compensation. During 2021 and 2020, the Group granted upfront cash awards of CHF 59 million and CHF 146 million, respectively. These awards are subject to repayment (clawback) by the employee in the event of voluntary resignation, termination for cause or in connection with other specified events or conditions within three years of the award grant. The amount subject to repayment is reduced in equal monthly installments during the three-year period following the grant date. The expense recognition will occur over the three-year vesting period, subject to service conditions. Amortization of this compensation in 2021 totaled CHF 80 million, of which CHF 31 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term 3 years      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount   146    
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation SFr 80      
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year 31      
Upfront cash award | Grant Date, February 11, 2022 | Subsequent Event        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount       SFr 799
Upfront cash award | Grant Date, 2020        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount SFr 59      
Deferred cash awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description Cash awards include certain special awards as well as voluntary deferred compensation plans and employee investment plans. For certain special awards, compensation expense was primarily driven by their vesting schedule; for other cash awards, compensation expense was driven by mark to market and performance adjustments, as the majority of the awards are fully vested.      
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation SFr 350 398 420  
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 223      
Deferred fixed cash awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description The Group granted deferred fixed cash compensation during 2021, 2020 and 2019 of CHF 259 million, CHF 120 million and CHF 108 million, respectively, to certain employees in the Americas. This compensation has been expensed in the Investment Bank and Asset Management divisions over a three-year vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of this compensation in 2021 totaled CHF 147 million, of which CHF 115 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term 3 years      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount SFr 259 120 108  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 147      
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year 115      
Bank        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 1,434 1,648 1,694  
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 1,111      
Bank | Retention Awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description The Bank granted deferred cash and share retention awards during 2021 of CHF 395 million, mainly in the Investment Bank and International Wealth Management divisions. During 2020 and 2019, the Bank granted deferred cash and share retention awards of CHF 40 million and CHF 40 million, respectively. These awards are expensed over the applicable vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of these awards in 2021 totaled CHF 123 million, of which CHF 103 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount SFr 395 40 40  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 123 43 22  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year 103      
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 284      
Bank | Upfront cash award        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description In February 2022, certain managing directors and directors were granted CHF 797 million of upfront cash awards as part of their 2021 variable compensation. During 2021 and 2020, the Bank granted upfront cash awards of CHF 59 million and CHF 146 million, respectively. These awards are subject to repayment (clawback) by the employee in the event of voluntary resignation, termination for cause or in connection with other specified events or conditions within three years of the award grant. The amount subject to repayment is reduced in equal monthly installments during the three-year period following the grant date. The expense recognition will occur over the three-year vesting period, subject to service conditions. Amortization of this compensation in 2021 totaled CHF 80 million, of which CHF 31 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term 3 years      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount     146  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation SFr 80      
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year   31    
Bank | Upfront cash award | Grant Date, February 11, 2022 | Subsequent Event        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount       SFr 797
Bank | Upfront cash award | Grant Date, 2021        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount   59    
Bank | Deferred cash awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 370 378 378  
Estimated unrecognized compensation expense SFr 221      
Bank | Deferred fixed cash awards        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]        
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Description The Bank granted deferred fixed cash compensation during 2021, 2020 and 2019 of CHF 259 million, CHF 120 million and CHF 108 million, respectively, to certain employees in the Americas. This compensation has been expensed in the Investment Bank and Asset Management divisions over a three-year vesting period from the grant date. Amortization of this compensation in 2021 totaled CHF 147 million, of which CHF 115 million was related to awards granted in 2021.      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term 3 years      
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Cash Award Granted, Amount SFr 259 SFr 120 SFr 108  
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation 147      
Compensation expense relating to deferred compensation, of which granted in current year SFr 115