v3.22.0.1

Document and Entity Information	Mar. 07, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT CO
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001580156
Document Period End Date	Mar. 07, 2022
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	001-36166
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1566372
Entity Address, Address Line One	125 High Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02110
City Area Code	617
Local Phone Number	351-5000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of each class	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	HMHC
Name of each exchange on which registered	NASDAQ

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

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- Definition

Area code of city

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Cover page.

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For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.

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The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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No definition available.

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Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

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Name of the City or Town

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Code for the postal or zip code

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Name of the state or province.

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- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

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Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

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The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Local phone number for entity.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Title of a 12(b) registered security.

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Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.

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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co 8-K