Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document And Entity Information

v2.4.0.6
Document And Entity Information (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Feb. 13, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2011    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2011    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol clf    
Entity Registrant Name CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.    
Entity Central Index Key 0000764065    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   142,013,534  
Entity Public Float     $ 13,430,571,403