Basic and diluted earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2025 |
Dec. 31, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
|
| IfrsStatementLineItems [Line Items] | |||
| Net income attributable to Vale S.A.'s shareholders | $ 2,352 | $ 6,166 | $ 7,983 |
| Thousands of shares | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 4,268,775 | 4,274,854 | 4,366,130 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potential ordinary shares | 4,274,804 | 4,279,867 | 4,369,961 |
| Ordinary shares [member] | |||
| Thousands of shares | |||
| Basic earnings per share attributable to Vale S.A.'s shareholders | $ 0.55 | $ 1.44 | $ 1.83 |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vale S.A.'s shareholders | $ 0.55 | $ 1.44 | $ 1.83 |