485BPOS

File No. 2-40341

811-02192

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933[X]

Pre-Effective Amendment No.[__]

Post-Effective Amendment No. 87[X]

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940[X]

Amendment No. 87[X]

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

c/o The Dreyfus Corporation

200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 922-6400

Bennett A. MacDougall, Esq.

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

X__ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

_____on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

_____ (days) days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

_____on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

_____ (days) days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

_____on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

_____this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on the 11^th day of October, 2017.

The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

BY:	/s/ Bradley J. Skapyak*
	Bradley J. Skapyak, PRESIDENT

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signatures	Title	Date
/s/ Bradley J. Skapyak*	President (Principal Executive Officer)	10/11/17
Bradley J. Skapyak
/s/ James Windels*	Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)	10/11/17
James Windels
/s/ Joseph S. DiMartino*	Chairman of the Board	10/11/17
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/ Francine J. Bovich*	Board Member	10/11/17
Francine J. Bovich
/s/ J. Charles Cardona*	Board Member	10/11/17
J. Charles Cardona
/s/ Gordon J. Davis*	Board Member	10/11/17
Gordon J. Davis
/s/ Isabel P. Dunst*	Board Member	10/11/17
Isabel P. Dunst
/s/ Robin A. Melvin*	Board Member	10/11/17
Robin A. Melvin
/s/ Nathan Leventhal*	Board Member	10/11/17
Nathan Leventhal
/s/ Roslyn M. Watson*	Board Member	10/11/17
Roslyn M. Watson
/s/ Benaree Pratt Wiley*	Board Member	10/11/17
Benaree Pratt Wiley

*BY:	/s/ Maureen E. Kane
	Maureen E. Kane Attorney-in-Fact

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibits

EX-101.INS – Instance Document.

EX-101.SCH – Taxonomy.

EX-101.CAL – Calculation Linkbase.

EX-101.DEF – Definition Linkbase.

EX-101.LAB – Labels Linkbase.

EX-101.PRE – Presentation Linkbase.

XML

Document and Entity Information	Total
Prospectus:
Document Type	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2017
Registrant Name	Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.
Central Index Key	0000030167
Amendment Flag	false
Document Creation Date	Sep. 27, 2017
Document Effective Date	Sep. 29, 2017
Prospectus Date	Sep. 29, 2017
Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class A
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DTCAX
Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class C
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DTCCX
Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class I
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DRTCX
Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Z
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DRTHX
Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Y
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DTCYX
Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class T
Prospectus:
Trading Symbol	DRTTX

XML

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the fund or shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds that are subject to a sales charge. More information about sales charges, including these and other discounts and waivers, is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section beginning on page 12 of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section and the Additional Information About How to Buy Shares section beginning on page II-1 and page III-1, respectively, of the fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.	Class A		Class C	Class I	Class Y	Class Z
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)	none	[1]	1.00%	none	none	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.		Class A	Class C	Class I	Class Y	Class Z
Management fees	[1]	0.60%	0.60%	0.60%	0.60%	0.60%
Distribution (12b-1) fees		none	0.75%	none	none	none
Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)		0.52%	0.53%	0.21%	0.22%	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	[1]	1.12%	1.88%	0.81%	0.82%	0.89%
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	[2]	(0.17%)	(0.18%)	(0.11%)	(0.12%)	(0.13%)
Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)		0.95%	1.70%	0.70%	0.70%	0.76%

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense limitation by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example - Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. - USD ($)	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years
Class A	666	895	1,141	1,845
Class C	273	573	999	2,186
Class I	72	248	439	991
Class Y	72	250	443	1,002
Class Z	78	271	480	1,084

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

Expense Example No Redemption - Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. - USD ($)	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years
Class A	666	895	1,141	1,845
Class C	173	573	999	2,186
Class I	72	248	439	991
Class Y	72	250	443	1,002
Class Z	78	271	480	1,084

Portfolio Turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 130.14% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategy

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (or derivative instruments with similar economic characteristics) of U.S. companies that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Newton Investment Management (North America) Limited (Newton), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), sub-adviser for the fund, considers a company to engage in "sustainable business practices" if the company engages in such practices in an economic sense (i.e., the durability of the company's strategy, operations and finances), and takes appropriate account of material externalities caused by or affecting its business. Newton also may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting.

The fund invests principally in common stocks. The fund may invest in the stocks of companies with any market capitalization, but focuses on companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in the stocks of foreign companies, including up to 10% of its net assets in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries, that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable ESG issues.

Newton seeks attractively-priced companies (determined using both quantitative and qualitative fundamental analysis) with good products, strong management and strategic direction that have adopted, or are making progress towards, a sustainable business approach. These are companies that Newton believes should benefit from favorable long-term trends. Newton uses an investment process that combines investment themes with fundamental research and analysis to select stocks for the fund's portfolio.

Investment Themes. Part of Newton's investment philosophy is the belief that no company, market or economy can be considered in isolation; each must be understood within a broader context. Therefore, Newton's global industry analysts and responsible investment team begin their process by considering the context provided by a series of macroeconomic investment themes, which are designed to define the broader social, financial and political environment as a framework for understanding events, trends and competitive pressures worldwide.

Fundamental Research and Analysis. Newton next conducts rigorous fundamental analysis of the competitive position and valuation of potential investments, systematically integrating the consideration of ESG issues through its proprietary ESG quality review, which is designed to ensure that Newton appropriately accounts for any material ESG issues of the company in determining the potential investment's valuation.

Ongoing ESG Monitoring and Engagement. In addition to investing in companies that Newton believes are "sustainable" after applying the fundamental analysis and ESG quality review rating, Newton may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting consistent with Newton's investment and engagement priorities. Newton monitors the fund's entire portfolio for emerging ESG controversies and issues and periodically reviews each company's ESG quality rating. This integrated investment process is intended to ensure that ESG issues are taken into account and that the fund invests in companies with attractive fundamental investment attributes that adopt, or are making progress towards sustainable business practices. The fund will not invest in companies that Newton deems to have material unresolvable ESG issues (i.e., companies with material ESG issues that Newton believes cannot be corrected through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting).

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

·Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions or because of factors that affect the particular company or the company's industry.

·Investment approach risk. The fund's investment approach may cause it to perform differently than mutual funds that invest in equity securities of U.S. companies, but that do not integrate consideration of ESG issues when selecting investments. The fund's investment approach that systematically integrates the consideration of ESG issues in the securities selection process may result in the fund forgoing opportunities to buy certain securities when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so, or selling securities when it might otherwise be disadvantageous for the fund to do so. The fund will vote proxies in a manner that is consistent with its investment approach, which may not always be consistent with maximizing the performance of the issuer in the short-term.

·Large-cap stock risk. To the extent the fund invests in large capitalization stocks, the fund may underperform funds that invest primarily in the stocks of lower quality, smaller capitalization companies during periods when the stocks of such companies are in favor.

·Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class Z shares from year to year. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

The fund changed its investment objective and strategy on May 1, 2017. Prior to May 1, 2017, the fund's investment objective was to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, until May 1, 2017, the fund, under normal circumstances, invested in the common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the fund's management, met traditional investment standards and conducted their business in a manner that contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America. To determine whether a company contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America, the fund considered the company's record in the areas of (1) protection and improvement of the environment and the proper use of natural resources, (2) occupational health and safety, (3) consumer protection and product purity, and (4) equal employment opportunity. In addition, prior to May 1, 2017, investment decisions for the fund were made by members of the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation, an affiliate of Dreyfus, who managed the fund as employees of Dreyfus.

Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%) Class Z

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 17.10%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2008: -21.30%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class Z shares as of June 30, 2017 was 7.61%.

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/16)

After-tax performance is shown only for Class Z shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

For the fund's Class Y shares, periods prior to the inception date reflect the performance of the fund's Class Z shares. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses. Each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the annual returns would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.

Average Annual Returns - Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.	Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	Average Annual Returns, Inception Date
Class Z	10.07%	12.54%	6.96%
Class A	3.52%	10.97%	6.07%
Class C	8.08%	11.43%	5.92%
Class I	10.20%	12.65%	7.09%
Class Y	10.07%	12.54%	6.96%	Sep. 30, 2016
After Taxes on Distributions | Class Z	8.71%	10.69%	6.03%
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class Z	6.78%	9.91%	5.58%
S&P 500® Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes	11.94%	14.65%	6.94%

[1] Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year.

[1] Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

[2] The fund's investment adviser, The Dreyfus Corporation, has contractually agreed, until September 29, 2018, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .70%. On or after September 29,, 2018, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate this expense limitation at any time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the fund or shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds that are subject to a sales charge. More information about sales charges, including these and other discounts and waivers, is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section beginning on page 12 of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section and the Additional Information About How to Buy Shares section beginning on page II-1 and page III-1, respectively, of the fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

Sep. 29, 2018

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 130.14% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

130.14%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the fund or shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds that are subject to a sales charge.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent

Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense limitation by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategy

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (or derivative instruments with similar economic characteristics) of U.S. companies that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Newton Investment Management (North America) Limited (Newton), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), sub-adviser for the fund, considers a company to engage in "sustainable business practices" if the company engages in such practices in an economic sense (i.e., the durability of the company's strategy, operations and finances), and takes appropriate account of material externalities caused by or affecting its business. Newton also may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting.

The fund invests principally in common stocks. The fund may invest in the stocks of companies with any market capitalization, but focuses on companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in the stocks of foreign companies, including up to 10% of its net assets in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries, that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable ESG issues.

Newton seeks attractively-priced companies (determined using both quantitative and qualitative fundamental analysis) with good products, strong management and strategic direction that have adopted, or are making progress towards, a sustainable business approach. These are companies that Newton believes should benefit from favorable long-term trends. Newton uses an investment process that combines investment themes with fundamental research and analysis to select stocks for the fund's portfolio.

Investment Themes. Part of Newton's investment philosophy is the belief that no company, market or economy can be considered in isolation; each must be understood within a broader context. Therefore, Newton's global industry analysts and responsible investment team begin their process by considering the context provided by a series of macroeconomic investment themes, which are designed to define the broader social, financial and political environment as a framework for understanding events, trends and competitive pressures worldwide.

Fundamental Research and Analysis. Newton next conducts rigorous fundamental analysis of the competitive position and valuation of potential investments, systematically integrating the consideration of ESG issues through its proprietary ESG quality review, which is designed to ensure that Newton appropriately accounts for any material ESG issues of the company in determining the potential investment's valuation.

Ongoing ESG Monitoring and Engagement. In addition to investing in companies that Newton believes are "sustainable" after applying the fundamental analysis and ESG quality review rating, Newton may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting consistent with Newton's investment and engagement priorities. Newton monitors the fund's entire portfolio for emerging ESG controversies and issues and periodically reviews each company's ESG quality rating. This integrated investment process is intended to ensure that ESG issues are taken into account and that the fund invests in companies with attractive fundamental investment attributes that adopt, or are making progress towards sustainable business practices. The fund will not invest in companies that Newton deems to have material unresolvable ESG issues (i.e., companies with material ESG issues that Newton believes cannot be corrected through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting).

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

·Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions or because of factors that affect the particular company or the company's industry.

·Investment approach risk. The fund's investment approach may cause it to perform differently than mutual funds that invest in equity securities of U.S. companies, but that do not integrate consideration of ESG issues when selecting investments. The fund's investment approach that systematically integrates the consideration of ESG issues in the securities selection process may result in the fund forgoing opportunities to buy certain securities when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so, or selling securities when it might otherwise be disadvantageous for the fund to do so. The fund will vote proxies in a manner that is consistent with its investment approach, which may not always be consistent with maximizing the performance of the issuer in the short-term.

·Large-cap stock risk. To the extent the fund invests in large capitalization stocks, the fund may underperform funds that invest primarily in the stocks of lower quality, smaller capitalization companies during periods when the stocks of such companies are in favor.

·Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class Z shares from year to year. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

The fund changed its investment objective and strategy on May 1, 2017. Prior to May 1, 2017, the fund's investment objective was to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, until May 1, 2017, the fund, under normal circumstances, invested in the common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the fund's management, met traditional investment standards and conducted their business in a manner that contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America. To determine whether a company contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America, the fund considered the company's record in the areas of (1) protection and improvement of the environment and the proper use of natural resources, (2) occupational health and safety, (3) consumer protection and product purity, and (4) equal employment opportunity. In addition, prior to May 1, 2017, investment decisions for the fund were made by members of the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation, an affiliate of Dreyfus, who managed the fund as employees of Dreyfus.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.dreyfus.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%) Class Z

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 17.10%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2008: -21.30%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class Z shares as of June 30, 2017 was 7.61%.

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2017

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

7.61%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

17.10%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(21.30%)

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax performance is shown only for Class Z shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary.

Performance Table Narrative

rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

After-tax performance is shown only for Class Z shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

For the fund's Class Y shares, periods prior to the inception date reflect the performance of the fund's Class Z shares. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses. Each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the annual returns would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses.

Caption

rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/16)

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | S&P 500® Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.94%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.65%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.94%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[2]

Distribution (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.52%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.12%

^[2]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.17%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.95%

Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block]

rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock

Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year.

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 666

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

895

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,141

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,845

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

666

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

895

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,141

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 1,845

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.52%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.97%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.07%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class C

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[2]

Distribution (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.53%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.88%

^[2]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.18%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.70%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 273

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

573

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

999

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,186

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

173

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

573

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

999

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,186

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.08%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.43%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.92%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class I

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[2]

Distribution (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.21%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.81%

^[2]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.11%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.70%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 72

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

248

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

439

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

991

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

72

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

248

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

439

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 991

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

10.20%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.65%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

7.09%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Y

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[2]

Distribution (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.22%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

^[2]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.12%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.70%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 72

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

250

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

443

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,002

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

72

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

250

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

443

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 1,002

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

10.07%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.54%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.96%

Average Annual Returns, Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 30, 2016

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Z

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[2]

Distribution (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.29%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

^[2]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.13%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 78

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

271

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

480

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,084

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

78

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

271

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

480

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 1,084

Annual Return 2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

7.56%

Annual Return 2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(34.30%)

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

33.30%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

14.49%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.69%

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

11.66%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

34.09%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

13.15%

Annual Return 2015

rr_AnnualReturn2015

(3.20%)

Annual Return 2016

rr_AnnualReturn2016

10.07%

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

10.07%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.54%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.96%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Z | After Taxes on Distributions

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

8.71%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.69%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.03%

Class A, C, I, Y, & Z Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class Z | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.78%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.91%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.58%

[1] Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year.

[2] Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

[3] The fund's investment adviser, The Dreyfus Corporation, has contractually agreed, until September 29, 2018, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .70%. On or after September 29,, 2018, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate this expense limitation at any time.

XML

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest at least $250,000 in the fund. More information about sales charges, including such discounts, is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section beginning on page 12 of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section and the Additional Information About How to Buy Shares section beginning on page II-1 and page III-1, respectively, of the fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	Class T Prospectus The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. Class T
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	2.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)	none

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses	Class T Prospectus The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. Class T
Management fees	0.60%	[1]
Distribution/service (12b-1) fees	0.25%
Other expenses	0.27%
Total annual fund operating expenses	1.12%	[1]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	(0.17%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)	0.95%

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense limitation by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years
Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class T | USD ($)	345	581	835	1,564

Expense Example No Redemption	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years
Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class T | USD ($)	345	581	835	1,564

Portfolio Turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 130.14% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategy

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (or derivative instruments with similar economic characteristics) of U.S. companies that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Newton Investment Management (North America) Limited (Newton), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), sub-adviser for the fund, considers a company to engage in "sustainable business practices" if the company engages in such practices in an economic sense (i.e., the durability of the company's strategy, operations and finances), and takes appropriate account of material externalities caused by or affecting its business. Newton also may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting.

The fund invests principally in common stocks. The fund may invest in the stocks of companies with any market capitalization, but focuses on companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in the stocks of foreign companies, including up to 10% of its net assets in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries, that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable ESG issues.

Newton seeks attractively-priced companies (determined using both quantitative and qualitative fundamental analysis) with good products, strong management and strategic direction that have adopted, or are making progress towards, a sustainable business approach. These are companies that Newton believes should benefit from favorable long-term trends. Newton uses an investment process that combines investment themes with fundamental research and analysis to select stocks for the fund's portfolio.

Investment Themes. Part of Newton's investment philosophy is the belief that no company, market or economy can be considered in isolation; each must be understood within a broader context. Therefore, Newton's global industry analysts and responsible investment team begin their process by considering the context provided by a series of macroeconomic investment themes, which are designed to define the broader social, financial and political environment as a framework for understanding events, trends and competitive pressures worldwide.

Fundamental Research and Analysis. Newton next conducts rigorous fundamental analysis of the competitive position and valuation of potential investments, systematically integrating the consideration of ESG issues through its proprietary ESG quality review, which is designed to ensure that Newton appropriately accounts for any material ESG issues of the company in determining the potential investment's valuation.

Ongoing ESG Monitoring and Engagement. In addition to investing in companies that Newton believes are "sustainable" after applying the fundamental analysis and ESG quality review rating, Newton may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting consistent with Newton's investment and engagement priorities. Newton monitors the fund's entire portfolio for emerging ESG controversies and issues and periodically reviews each company's ESG quality rating. This integrated investment process is intended to ensure that ESG issues are taken into account and that the fund invests in companies with attractive fundamental investment attributes that adopt, or are making progress towards sustainable business practices. The fund will not invest in companies that Newton deems to have material unresolvable ESG issues (i.e., companies with material ESG issues that Newton believes cannot be corrected through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting).

Principal Risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

·Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions or because of factors that affect the particular company or the company's industry.

·Investment approach risk. The fund's investment approach may cause it to perform differently than mutual funds that invest in equity securities of U.S. companies, but that do not integrate consideration of ESG issues when selecting investments. The fund's investment approach that systematically integrates the consideration of ESG issues in the securities selection process may result in the fund forgoing opportunities to buy certain securities when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so, or selling securities when it might otherwise be disadvantageous for the fund to do so. The fund will vote proxies in a manner that is consistent with its investment approach, which may not always be consistent with maximizing the performance of the issuer in the short-term.

·Large-cap stock risk. To the extent the fund invests in large capitalization stocks, the fund may underperform funds that invest primarily in the stocks of lower quality, smaller capitalization companies during periods when the stocks of such companies are in favor.

·Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class T shares from year to year. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's Class T shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

The historical performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are not offered in this prospectus, is used to calculate the performance of the fund's Class T shares shown in the bar chart and table. Since the fund's Class T shares are new, past performance information is not available for Class T shares as of the date of this prospectus. Each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the annual returns would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same charges and expenses. The performance figures in the table have been adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the fund's Class T shares. The performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

The fund changed its investment objective and strategy on May 1, 2017. Prior to May 1, 2017, the fund's investment objective was to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, until May 1, 2017, the fund, under normal circumstances, invested in the common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the fund's management, met traditional investment standards and conducted their business in a manner that contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America. To determine whether a company contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America, the fund considered the company's record in the areas of (1) protection and improvement of the environment and the proper use of natural resources, (2) occupational health and safety, (3) consumer protection and product purity, and (4) equal employment opportunity. In addition, prior to May 1, 2017, investment decisions for the fund were made by members of the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation, an affiliate of Dreyfus, who managed the fund as employees of Dreyfus.

Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%) Class T*

^*Reflects the performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are offered in a separate prospectus. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 17.11%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2008: -21.37%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class T shares as of June 30, 2017 was 7.42%.*

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/16)

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Average Annual Returns - Class T Prospectus - The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.		Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	Average Annual Returns, 10 Years
Class A	[1]	7.12%	11.73%	6.43%
After Taxes on Distributions | Class A	[1]	5.82%	9.91%	5.54%
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class A	[1]	5.06%	9.24%	5.13%
S&P 500® Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes		11.94%	14.65%	6.94%

[1] Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

[2] The fund's investment adviser, The Dreyfus Corporation, has contractually agreed, until September 29, 2018, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .70%. On or after September 29, 2018, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate this expense limitation at any time.

[1] Reflects the performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are offered in a separate prospectus, adjusted to reflect applicable sales charges. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc.

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund Summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest at least $250,000 in the fund. More information about sales charges, including such discounts, is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section beginning on page 12 of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section and the Additional Information About How to Buy Shares section beginning on page II-1 and page III-1, respectively, of the fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

Sep. 29, 2018

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 130.14% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

130.14%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you invest at least $250,000 in the fund.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 250,000

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent

Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

Expense Example [Heading]

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Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense limitation by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal Investment Strategy

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (or derivative instruments with similar economic characteristics) of U.S. companies that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Newton Investment Management (North America) Limited (Newton), an affiliate of The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), sub-adviser for the fund, considers a company to engage in "sustainable business practices" if the company engages in such practices in an economic sense (i.e., the durability of the company's strategy, operations and finances), and takes appropriate account of material externalities caused by or affecting its business. Newton also may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting.

The fund invests principally in common stocks. The fund may invest in the stocks of companies with any market capitalization, but focuses on companies with market capitalizations of $5 billion or more at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in the stocks of foreign companies, including up to 10% of its net assets in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries, that demonstrate attractive investment attributes and sustainable business practices and have no material unresolvable ESG issues.

Newton seeks attractively-priced companies (determined using both quantitative and qualitative fundamental analysis) with good products, strong management and strategic direction that have adopted, or are making progress towards, a sustainable business approach. These are companies that Newton believes should benefit from favorable long-term trends. Newton uses an investment process that combines investment themes with fundamental research and analysis to select stocks for the fund's portfolio.

Investment Themes. Part of Newton's investment philosophy is the belief that no company, market or economy can be considered in isolation; each must be understood within a broader context. Therefore, Newton's global industry analysts and responsible investment team begin their process by considering the context provided by a series of macroeconomic investment themes, which are designed to define the broader social, financial and political environment as a framework for understanding events, trends and competitive pressures worldwide.

Fundamental Research and Analysis. Newton next conducts rigorous fundamental analysis of the competitive position and valuation of potential investments, systematically integrating the consideration of ESG issues through its proprietary ESG quality review, which is designed to ensure that Newton appropriately accounts for any material ESG issues of the company in determining the potential investment's valuation.

Ongoing ESG Monitoring and Engagement. In addition to investing in companies that Newton believes are "sustainable" after applying the fundamental analysis and ESG quality review rating, Newton may invest in companies where it believes it can promote sustainable business practices through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting consistent with Newton's investment and engagement priorities. Newton monitors the fund's entire portfolio for emerging ESG controversies and issues and periodically reviews each company's ESG quality rating. This integrated investment process is intended to ensure that ESG issues are taken into account and that the fund invests in companies with attractive fundamental investment attributes that adopt, or are making progress towards sustainable business practices. The fund will not invest in companies that Newton deems to have material unresolvable ESG issues (i.e., companies with material ESG issues that Newton believes cannot be corrected through ongoing company engagement and active proxy voting).

Risk [Heading]

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Principal Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

·Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions or because of factors that affect the particular company or the company's industry.

·Investment approach risk. The fund's investment approach may cause it to perform differently than mutual funds that invest in equity securities of U.S. companies, but that do not integrate consideration of ESG issues when selecting investments. The fund's investment approach that systematically integrates the consideration of ESG issues in the securities selection process may result in the fund forgoing opportunities to buy certain securities when it might otherwise be advantageous to do so, or selling securities when it might otherwise be disadvantageous for the fund to do so. The fund will vote proxies in a manner that is consistent with its investment approach, which may not always be consistent with maximizing the performance of the issuer in the short-term.

·Large-cap stock risk. To the extent the fund invests in large capitalization stocks, the fund may underperform funds that invest primarily in the stocks of lower quality, smaller capitalization companies during periods when the stocks of such companies are in favor.

·Growth and value stock risk. By investing in a mix of growth and value companies, the fund assumes the risks of both. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock's intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class T shares from year to year. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's Class T shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

The historical performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are not offered in this prospectus, is used to calculate the performance of the fund's Class T shares shown in the bar chart and table. Since the fund's Class T shares are new, past performance information is not available for Class T shares as of the date of this prospectus. Each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities, and the annual returns would have differed only to the extent that the classes do not have the same charges and expenses. The performance figures in the table have been adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the fund's Class T shares. The performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

The fund changed its investment objective and strategy on May 1, 2017. Prior to May 1, 2017, the fund's investment objective was to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, until May 1, 2017, the fund, under normal circumstances, invested in the common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the fund's management, met traditional investment standards and conducted their business in a manner that contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America. To determine whether a company contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in America, the fund considered the company's record in the areas of (1) protection and improvement of the environment and the proper use of natural resources, (2) occupational health and safety, (3) consumer protection and product purity, and (4) equal employment opportunity. In addition, prior to May 1, 2017, investment decisions for the fund were made by members of the Active Equity Team of Mellon Capital Management Corporation, an affiliate of Dreyfus, who managed the fund as employees of Dreyfus.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

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The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

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Since the fund's Class T shares are new, past performance information is not available for Class T shares as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

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www.dreyfus.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%) Class T*

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

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Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and, if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown.

Bar Chart Footnotes [Text Block]

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^*Reflects the performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are offered in a separate prospectus. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 17.11%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2008: -21.37%

The year-to-date total return of the fund's Class T shares as of June 30, 2017 was 7.42%.*

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

The historical performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are not offered in this prospectus, is used to calculate the performance of the fund's Class T shares shown in the bar chart and table.

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2017

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

7.42%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

17.11%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(21.37%)

Performance Table Does Reflect Sales Loads

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The performance figures in the table have been adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the fund's Class T shares.

Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

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reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

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After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

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Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Performance Table Narrative

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After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through U.S. tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Caption

rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/16)

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | S&P 500® Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.94%

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.65%

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.94%

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class T

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

2.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.60%

^[1]

Distribution/service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.27%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.12%

^[1]

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.17%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement)

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.95%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 345

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

581

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

835

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,564

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

345

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

581

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

835

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 1,564

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class A

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Annual Return 2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

7.34%

Annual Return 2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(34.55%)

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

33.03%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

14.28%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.37%

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

11.34%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

33.76%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

12.93%

Annual Return 2015

rr_AnnualReturn2015

(3.38%)

Annual Return 2016

rr_AnnualReturn2016

9.86%

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.12%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.73%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

6.43%

^[3]

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.82%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.91%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.54%

^[3]

Class T Prospectus | The Dreyfus Sustainable U.S. Equity Fund, Inc. | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.06%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.24%

^[3]

Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10

5.13%

^[3]

[1] Management fees and Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated from the previous fiscal year to reflect a decrease in the contractual management fee payable by the fund, effective May 1, 2017, from .75% to .60% of the value of the fund's average daily net assets.

[2] The fund's investment adviser, The Dreyfus Corporation, has contractually agreed, until September 29, 2018, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .70%. On or after September 29, 2018, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate this expense limitation at any time.

[3] Reflects the performance of the fund's Class A shares, which are offered in a separate prospectus, adjusted to reflect applicable sales charges. Such performance figures have not been adjusted to reflect applicable class fees and expenses.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Sep. 29, 2017