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Label Element Value
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate May 31, 2021
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BOND FUND
Entity Inv Company Type dei_EntityInvCompanyType N-1A
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000045288
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Sep. 24, 2021
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Oct. 01, 2021
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Oct. 01, 2021
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
To seek a high level of current income consistent with prudent investment risk.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) waivers (See Appendix 1 - Intermediary sales charge waivers, which includes information about specific sales charge waivers applicable to the intermediaries identified therein). More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and on pages 24 to 26 of the prospectus under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” or pages 110 to 114 of the fund’s Statement of Additional Information under “Sales Charges on Class A and Class C Shares.”
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the John Hancock family of funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 100,000
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 July 31, 2023
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then, except as shown below, assuming you sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption Sold
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption Not Sold
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 rate 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 its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 98% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 98.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of bonds. These may include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds and debentures, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, and U.S. government and agency securities. Most of these securities are investment-grade, although the fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in below-investment-grade debt securities (junk bonds) rated as low as CC by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) and Ca by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), or comparable rating by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or their unrated equivalents. The fund contemplates that at least 75% of its net assets will be in investment-grade debt securities and cash and cash equivalents. The fund’s investment policies are based on credit ratings at the time of purchase. There is no limit on average maturity.
The manager focuses on sector allocation, industry allocation, and security selection in making investment decisions. When making sector and industry allocations, the manager uses top-down analysis to try to anticipate shifts in the business cycle. The manager uses bottom-up research to find individual securities that appear comparatively undervalued. The fund may invest in securities of foreign governments and corporations. The fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Under normal market conditions, the fund does not anticipate investing more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities (excluding Canadian securities).
The fund intends to keep its interest-rate exposure generally in line with its peers. The fund may engage in derivative transactions. Derivatives may be used to reduce risk, obtain efficient market exposure, and/or enhance investment returns, and may include futures contracts on securities and indexes; options on futures contracts, securities, and indexes; interest-rate, foreign currency, and credit default swaps; and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund’s investments in U.S. government and agency securities may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Under normal circumstances, the fund may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents (except cash segregated in relation to derivative transactions). The fund may trade securities actively.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Many factors affect performance, and fund shares will fluctuate in price, meaning you could lose money. The fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results.
During periods of heightened market volatility or reduced liquidity, governments, their agencies, or other regulatory bodies, both within the United States and abroad, may take steps to intervene. These actions, which could include legislative, regulatory, or economic initiatives, might have unforeseeable consequences and could adversely affect the fund’s performance or otherwise constrain the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
The fund’s main risks are listed below in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus.
Changing distribution levels risk. The fund may cease or reduce the level of its distribution if income or dividends paid from its investments declines.
Credit and counterparty risk. The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract, or a borrower of fund securities may not make timely payments or otherwise honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the nature of their support. A downgrade or default affecting any of the fund’s securities could affect the fund’s performance.
Economic and market events risk. Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates rise or economic conditions deteriorate.
Fixed-income securities risk. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity or duration of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive it will likely be to interest-rate fluctuations. An issuer may not make all interest payments or repay all or any of the principal borrowed. Changes in a security’s credit quality may adversely affect fund performance.
Foreign securities risk. Less information may be publicly available regarding foreign issuers, including foreign government issuers. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and may be more volatile than U.S. securities. Currency fluctuations and political and economic developments may adversely impact the value of foreign securities. If applicable, depositary receipts are subject to most of the risks associated with investing in foreign securities directly because the value of a depositary receipt is dependent upon the market price of the underlying foreign equity security. Depositary receipts are also subject to liquidity risk.
Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase a fund’s volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund’s principal investment. Risks of these transactions are different from and possibly greater than risks of investing directly in securities and other traditional instruments. Under certain market conditions, derivatives could become harder to value or sell and may become subject to liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions). Derivatives and other strategic transactions that the fund intends to utilize include: credit default swaps; foreign currency forward contracts; foreign currency swaps; futures contracts; interest-rate swaps; and options. Foreign currency forward contracts, futures contracts, options, and swaps generally are subject to counterparty risk. In addition, swaps may be subject to interest-rate and settlement risk, and the risk of default of the underlying reference obligation. Derivatives associated with foreign currency transactions are subject to currency risk.
High portfolio turnover risk. Trading securities actively and frequently can increase transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and taxable distributions.
Liquidity risk. The extent (if at all) to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively impacting its market value may be impaired by reduced market activity or participation, legal restrictions, or other economic and market impediments. Liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments due to higher than normal redemption rates. Widespread selling of fixed-income securities to satisfy redemptions during periods of reduced demand may adversely impact the price or salability of such securities. Periods of heavy redemption could cause the fund to sell assets at a loss or depressed value, which could negatively affect performance. Redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets.
Lower-rated and high-yield fixed-income securities risk. Lower-rated and high-yield fixed-income securities (junk bonds) are subject to greater credit quality risk, risk of default, and price volatility than higher-rated fixed-income securities, may be considered speculative, and can be difficult to resell.
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate, and other market risks. Factors that impact the value of these securities include interest rate changes, the reliability of available information, credit quality or enhancement, and market perception.
Operational and cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity breaches may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a fund or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Similar incidents affecting issuers of a fund’s securities may negatively impact performance. Operational risk may arise from human error, error by third parties, communication errors, or technology failures, among other causes.
Sector risk. When a fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the fund were invested more evenly across sectors.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Many factors affect performance, and fund shares will fluctuate in price, meaning you could lose money.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based market index. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance information is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly and may be obtained at our website, jhinvestments.com, or by calling 800-225-5291 (Class A and Class C), Monday to Thursday, 8:00 A.M.—7:00 P.M., and Friday, 8:00 A.M.—6:00 P.M., Eastern time, or 888-972-8696 (Class I, Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6) between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.
A note on performance
Class A shares commenced operations on November 9, 1973. Class R6 shares commenced operations on September 1, 2011; Class R2 shares commenced operations on March 1, 2012; Class R4 shares commenced operations on March 27, 2015. Returns shown prior to a class’s commencement date are those of Class A shares, except that they do not include sales charges and would be lower if they did. Returns for Class R2,
Class R4, and Class R6 shares would have been substantially similar to returns of Class A shares because each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities and returns would differ only to the extent that expenses of the classes are different. To the extent expenses of a class would have been higher than expenses of Class A shares for the periods shown, performance would have been lower.
Please note that after-tax returns (shown for Class A shares only) reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rate in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. After-tax returns for other share classes would vary. The returns for Class A shares have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.50% to 4.00%, effective February 3, 2014.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based market index.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone calling 800-225-5291 (Class A and Class C), Monday to Thursday, 8:00 A.M.—7:00 P.M., and Friday, 8:00 A.M.—6:00 P.M., Eastern time, or 888-972-8696 (Class I, Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6) between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress jhinvestments.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar year total returns (%)—Class A (sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart and returns would have been lower if they were) 
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart and returns would have been lower if they were
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate Please note that after-tax returns (shown for Class A shares only) reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rate in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown Please note that after-tax returns (shown for Class A shares only)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Year-to-date total return. The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was -0.66%.
Best quarter: Q2 2020, 5.98%
Worst quarter: Q2 2013, -2.71%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns (%)—as of 12/31/20
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class A  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther 4.00%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00%
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther $ 20
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.30%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 475
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 638
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 815
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,327
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 4.86%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.49%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 0.46%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 6.39%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.18%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 4.46%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 4.87%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (1.23%)
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 10.07%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 8.81%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date total return. The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was -0.66%.
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (0.66%)
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Jun. 30, 2021
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best quarter: Q2 2020, 5.98%
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.98%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst quarter: Q2 2013, -2.71%
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (2.71%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2013
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.46%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.47%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.49%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.69%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.94%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.81%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.61%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.74%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.72%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class C  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00%
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther $ 20
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.48%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.47%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 250
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 467
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 807
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,768
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 150
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 467
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 807
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,768
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.05%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.59%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.19%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class I  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.48%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.47%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 48
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 153
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 603
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.07%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.62%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.27%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class R2  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25%
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.87%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 88
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 277
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 481
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,072
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.71%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.88%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class R4  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10%
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.72%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.11%) [1],[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.61%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 62
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 219
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 390
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 884
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.91%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.49%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.02%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Classes A, C, I, R2, R4 and R6) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class R6  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Component1 Other Expenses rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Component2 Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.37%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.36%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 37
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 118
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 207
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 467
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.24%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.76%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.35%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Class NAV) | (John Hancock Bond Fund)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
To seek a high level of current income consistent with prudent investment risk.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
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 July 31, 2023
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming you sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return and that fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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 rate 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 its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 98% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 98.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of bonds. These may include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds and debentures, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, and U.S. government and agency securities. Most of these securities are investment-grade, although the fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in below-investment-grade debt securities (junk bonds) rated as low as CC by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) and Ca by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), or comparable rating by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or their unrated equivalents. The fund contemplates that at least 75% of its net assets will be in investment-grade debt securities and cash and cash equivalents. The fund’s investment policies are based on credit ratings at the time of purchase. There is no limit on average maturity.
The manager focuses on sector allocation, industry allocation, and security selection in making investment decisions. When making sector and industry allocations, the manager uses top-down analysis to try to anticipate shifts in the business cycle. The manager uses bottom-up research to find individual securities that appear comparatively undervalued. The fund may invest in securities of foreign governments and corporations. The fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Under normal market conditions, the fund does not anticipate investing more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities (excluding Canadian securities).
The fund intends to keep its interest-rate exposure generally in line with its peers. The fund may engage in derivative transactions. Derivatives may be used to reduce risk, obtain efficient market exposure, and/or enhance investment returns, and may include futures contracts on securities and indexes; options on futures contracts, securities, and indexes; interest-rate, foreign currency, and credit default swaps; and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund’s investments in U.S. government and agency securities may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Under normal circumstances, the fund may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in cash or cash equivalents (except cash segregated in relation to derivative transactions). The fund may trade securities actively.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Many factors affect performance, and fund shares will fluctuate in price, meaning you could lose money. The fund’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results.
During periods of heightened market volatility or reduced liquidity, governments, their agencies, or other regulatory bodies, both within the United States and abroad, may take steps to intervene. These actions, which could include legislative, regulatory, or economic initiatives, might have unforeseeable consequences and could adversely affect the fund’s performance or otherwise constrain the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
The fund’s main risks are listed below in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 5 of the prospectus.
Changing distribution levels risk. The fund may cease or reduce the level of its distribution if income or dividends paid from its investments declines.
Credit and counterparty risk. The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract, or a borrower of fund securities may not make timely payments or otherwise honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the nature of their support. A downgrade or default affecting any of the fund’s securities could affect the fund’s performance.
Economic and market events risk. Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates rise or economic conditions deteriorate.
Fixed-income securities risk. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity or duration of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive it will likely be to interest-rate fluctuations. An issuer may not make all interest payments or repay all or any of the principal borrowed. Changes in a security’s credit quality may adversely affect fund performance.
Foreign securities risk. Less information may be publicly available regarding foreign issuers, including foreign government issuers. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and may be more volatile than U.S. securities. Currency fluctuations and political and economic developments may adversely impact the value of foreign securities. If applicable, depositary receipts are subject to most of the risks associated with investing in foreign securities directly because the value of a depositary receipt is dependent upon the market price of the underlying foreign equity security. Depositary receipts are also subject to liquidity risk.
Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase a fund’s volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund’s principal investment. Risks of these transactions are different from and possibly greater than risks of investing directly in securities and other traditional instruments. Under certain market conditions, derivatives could become harder to value or sell and may become subject to liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions). Derivatives and other strategic transactions that the fund intends to utilize include: credit default swaps; foreign currency forward contracts; foreign currency swaps; futures contracts; interest-rate swaps; and options. Foreign currency forward contracts, futures contracts, options, and swaps generally are subject to counterparty risk. In addition, swaps may be subject to interest-rate and settlement risk, and the risk of default of the underlying reference obligation. Derivatives associated with foreign currency transactions are subject to currency risk.
High portfolio turnover risk. Trading securities actively and frequently can increase transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and taxable distributions.
Liquidity risk. The extent (if at all) to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively impacting its market value may be impaired by reduced market activity or participation, legal restrictions, or other economic and market impediments. Liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments due to higher than normal redemption rates. Widespread selling of fixed-income securities to satisfy redemptions during periods of reduced demand may adversely impact the price or salability of such securities. Periods of heavy redemption could cause the fund to sell assets at a loss or depressed value, which could negatively affect performance. Redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets.
Lower-rated and high-yield fixed-income securities risk. Lower-rated and high-yield fixed-income securities (junk bonds) are subject to greater credit quality risk, risk of default, and price volatility than higher-rated fixed-income securities, may be considered speculative, and can be difficult to resell.
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate, and other market risks. Factors that impact the value of these securities include interest rate changes, the reliability of available information, credit quality or enhancement, and market perception.
Operational and cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity breaches may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a fund or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Similar incidents affecting issuers of a fund’s securities may negatively impact performance. Operational risk may arise from human error, error by third parties, communication errors, or technology failures, among other causes.
Sector risk. When a fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the fund were invested more evenly across sectors.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Many factors affect performance, and fund shares will fluctuate in price, meaning you could lose money.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based market index. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance information is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly and may be obtained at our website, jhinvestments.com, or by calling 800-344-1029 between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.
A note on performance
Class A shares commenced operations on November 9, 1973. Class NAV shares commenced operations on August 31, 2015. Returns shown prior to the commencement date of Class NAV shares are those of Class A shares, except that they do not include sales charges and would be lower if they did. Returns for Class NAV shares would have been substantially similar to returns of Class A shares because both share classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities and returns would differ only to the extent that expenses of the classes are different. To the extent expenses of a class would have been higher than expenses of Class A shares for the periods shown, performance would have been lower.
Please note that after-tax returns reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rate in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based market index.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800-344-1029
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress jhinvestments.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar year total returns (%)—Class NAV 
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate Please note that after-tax returns reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rate in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Year-to-date total return. The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was -0.39%.
Best quarter: Q2 2020, 6.09%
Worst quarter: Q2 2013, -2.71%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns (%)—as of 12/31/20
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Class NAV) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Class NAV) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class NAV  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.31%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.05%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.36%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 36
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 115
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 201
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 455
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 4.86%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.49%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 0.46%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 6.39%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.01%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 4.91%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 5.30%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (0.76%)
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 10.51%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 9.19%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date total return. The fund’s total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was -0.39%.
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (0.39%)
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Jun. 30, 2021
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best quarter: Q2 2020, 6.09%
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 6.09%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst quarter: Q2 2013, -2.71%
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (2.71%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2013
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.19%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.76%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.15%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Class NAV) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class NAV | After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.17%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.03%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.37%
(John Hancock Bond Fund - Class NAV) | (John Hancock Bond Fund) | Class NAV | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.41%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.65%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.20%
[1]
1 The advisor contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the fund and certain other John Hancock funds according to an asset level breakpoint schedule that is based on the aggregate net assets of all the funds participating in the waiver or reimbursement. This waiver is allocated proportionally among the participating funds. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s reimbursement amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This agreement expires on July 31, 2023 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
[2]
2 The distributor contractually agrees to limit its Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares to 0.15%. This agreement expires on September 30, 2022 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
[3]
1 The advisor contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the fund and certain other John Hancock funds according to an asset level breakpoint schedule that is based on the aggregate net assets of all the funds participating in the waiver or reimbursement. This waiver is allocated proportionally among the participating funds. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s reimbursement amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This agreement expires on July 31, 2023 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.