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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName WASATCH FUNDS TRUST
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Jan. 31, 2016
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading WASATCH FRONTIER EMERGING SMALL COUNTRIES FUND® — SUMMARY
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, sell or hold Investor Class shares of the Fund.
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 January 31, 2017
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). 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 34% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 34.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading EXAMPLE
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Investor Class of the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invested $10,000 in the Investor Class of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeemed all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment had a 5% return each year and that operating expenses (as a percentage of net assets) of the Fund’s Investor Class remained the same. This example reflects contractual fee waivers and reimbursements through January 31, 2017. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of companies of all market capitalizations that are tied economically to frontier markets and small emerging market countries.
Under normal market conditions, we will invest at least 80% of the Fund’s assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities of companies that are tied economically to frontier markets and small emerging market countries. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock and securities convertible into common stock, warrants and rights, and other securities with equity characteristics (for example, participatory notes or derivatives linked to a basket of underlying equity securities, certain options on common stock, and exchange-traded funds).
“Frontier markets” include any country that is outside the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index, and also any country that is currently included in the Russell Frontier Index, the S&P Frontier Broad Market Index (BMI), the MSCI Frontier Markets Index, or similar market indices, or any country that, in our opinion, has similar characteristics regardless of its inclusion in an index.
“Emerging markets” include those countries currently considered to be developing as per their inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. We consider a “small emerging market country” to be any country that individually constitutes not more than 7% of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or the S&P Emerging BMI.
We will generally consider qualifying investments to be in companies that are listed on an exchange in a frontier market or small emerging market country, that are legally domiciled in a frontier market or small emerging market country, that have at least 50% of their assets in a frontier market or small emerging market country, or that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services provided in a frontier market or small emerging market country. The Fund will not be required to sell a security because the market to which it is economically tied is no longer what we consider to be a frontier market or a small emerging market country.
In general, frontier markets and small emerging market countries, with the exception of the oil-producing Persian Gulf States, tend to have relatively low gross national product per capita compared to the larger traditionally-recognized emerging markets and the world’s major developed economies. Frontier and small emerging market countries include the least developed markets even by emerging market standards. We believe frontier markets and small emerging market countries offer investment opportunities that arise from long-term trends in demographics, deregulation, offshore outsourcing and improving corporate governance.
The Fund may invest in the equity securities of companies of any size, although we expect a significant portion of the Fund’s assets to be invested in companies with market capitalizations of under US$3 billion at the time of purchase.
We travel extensively outside the U.S. to visit companies and expect to meet with senior management. We use a process of quantitative screening followed by “bottom-up” fundamental analysis with the goal of owning the highest quality growth companies tied economically to frontier markets and small emerging market countries.
We do not use allocation models to restrict the Fund’s investments to certain regions, countries or industries.
The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in a few sectors, including consumer discretionary, consumer staples, financials, health care, materials and telecommunication services.
We may also invest in initial public offerings (IPOs).
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration The Fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in a few sectors, including consumer discretionary, consumer staples, financials, health care, materials and telecommunication services.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock All investments carry some degree of risk that will affect the value of the Fund, its investment performance and the price of its shares. As a result, you may lose money if you invest in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
The Fund is subject to the following principal investment risks:
Stock Market Risk. The Fund’s investments may decline in value due to movements in the overall stock market.
Stock Selection Risk. The Fund’s investments may decline in value even when the overall stock market is not in a general decline.
Foreign Securities Risk. Foreign securities are generally more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities. Further, foreign securities may be subject to additional risks not associated with investments in U.S. securities. Differences in the economic and political environment, the amount of available public information, the degree of market regulation, and financial reporting, accounting and auditing standards, and, in the case of foreign currency-denominated securities, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, can have a significant effect on the value of a foreign security.
Emerging Markets Risk. In addition to the risks of investing in foreign securities in general, the risks of investing in the securities of companies domiciled in emerging market countries, and in particular small emerging market countries, include increased political or social instability, economies based on only a few industries, unstable currencies, runaway inflation, highly volatile securities markets, unpredictable shifts in policies relating to foreign investments, lack of protection for investors against parties that fail to complete transactions, and the potential for government seizure of assets or nationalization of companies.
Frontier Markets Risk. In addition to the risks of investing in foreign securities and emerging markets, frontier market securities involve unique risks, such as exposure to economies less diverse and mature than those of the U.S. or more established foreign markets. Economic or political instability may cause larger price changes in frontier market securities than in securities of issuers based in more developed foreign countries, including securities of issuers in larger emerging markets. Frontier markets generally receive less investor attention than developed markets or larger emerging markets. These risks can result in the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity.
Small Company Stock Risk. Small-cap stocks may be very sensitive to changing economic conditions and market downturns because the issuers often have narrow markets for their products or services, fewer product lines, and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger issuers. The stocks of small-cap companies may therefore be more volatile and the ability to sell these stocks at a desirable time or price may be more limited.
Growth Stock Risk. Growth stock prices may be more sensitive to changes in companies’ current or expected earnings than the prices of other stocks, and growth stock prices may fall or may not appreciate in step with the broader securities markets.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Risk. IPOs involve a higher degree of risk because companies involved in IPOs generally have limited operating histories and their prospects for future profitability are uncertain. Prices of IPOs may also be unstable due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading and limited investor information.
Liquidity Risk. The trading market for a particular security or type of security in which the Fund invests may be significantly less liquid than domestic or even emerging markets, and there may be little or no trading volume for a period of time for a particular security. Reduced liquidity will have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to sell such securities quickly at the currently marked price when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event. It may be difficult at times to sell such securities at any price, which could impact not only the daily Fund NAV, but also the composition of the portfolio if other securities must be sold to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs. Additionally, market quotations for such securities may be volatile affecting the daily NAV of the Fund.
Sector Weightings Risk. To the extent the Fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a particular sector, the Fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to that sector, including the sectors described below. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect all the securities in a single sector. If the Fund invests in a few sectors, it may have increased exposure to the price movements of those sectors.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. Industries in the consumer discretionary sector, such as consumer durables, hotels, restaurants, media, retailing, and automobiles, may be significantly impacted by the performance of the overall economy, interest rates, competition, consumer confidence and spending, and changes in demographics and consumer tastes.
Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The consumer staples sector may be affected by marketing campaigns, changes in consumer demands, government regulations and changes in commodity prices.
Financials Sector Risk. The financials sector is subject to extensive government regulation, can be subject to relatively rapid change due to increasingly blurred distinctions between service segments, and can be significantly affected by the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, and price competition.
Health Care Sector Risk. Health care companies are strongly affected by worldwide scientific or technological developments. Their products may rapidly become obsolete. Many health care companies are also subject to significant government regulation and may be affected by changes in government policies.
Materials Sector Risk. Changes in world events, political, environmental and economic conditions, energy conservation, environmental policies, commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, and labor relations may adversely affect companies engaged in the production and distribution of materials.
Telecommunication Services Sector Risk. The telecommunication services sector is characterized by increasing competition and government regulation. Companies in the telecommunication services sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in formulating new products and services using new technology. Technological innovations may make the products and services of certain telecommunication companies obsolete.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney All investments carry some degree of risk that will affect the value of the Fund, its investment performance and the price of its shares. As a result, you may lose money if you invest in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and 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 HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The following tables provide information on how the Investor Class of the Fund has performed over time. Past performance, before and after taxes, of the Fund’s Investor Class is not necessarily an indication of how these shares will perform in the future. The bar chart below is intended to provide you with an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year, as represented by the Investor Class of the Fund. The table below is designed to help you evaluate your risk tolerance by showing the best and worst quarterly performance of the Fund’s Investor Class for the calendar years shown in the bar chart. The average annual total return table below allows you to compare the Fund’s performance over the time periods indicated to that of a broad-based market index and an additional index composed of securities similar to those held by the Fund. Performance information is updated regularly and is available on the Fund’s website www.WasatchFunds.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart below is intended to provide you with an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year, as represented by the Investor Class of the Fund. The average annual total return table below allows you to compare the Fund's performance over the time periods indicated to that of a broad-based market index and an additional index composed of securities similar to those held by the Fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.WasatchFunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance, before and after taxes, of the Fund's Investor Class is not necessarily an indication of how these shares will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading WASATCH FRONTIER EMERGING SMALL COUNTRIES FUND — INVESTOR CLASS
Year by Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
Best — 3/31/2013      8.33%   
Worst — 9/30/2015      -7.05%   
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns — (as of 12/31/15)
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 The after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher The Fund's returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before taxes and after taxes on distributions because they include the effect of a tax benefit an investor may receive from the capital losses that would have been incurred.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock 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. The after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

The Fund’s returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before taxes and after taxes on distributions because they include the effect of a tax benefit an investor may receive from the capital losses that would have been incurred.
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund | Investor Class Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a % of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed on shares held 60 days or less) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 2.00%
Exchange Fee rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Maximum Account Fee rr_MaximumAccountFeeOverAssets none
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.75%
Distribution/Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.28%
Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.25%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 228
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 709
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,217
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,613
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 18.00%
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 1.69%
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (12.10%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2013
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 8.33%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2015
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (7.05%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.10%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.84%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Investor Class Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.92%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.84%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Investor Class Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (6.60%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.11%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund | MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (18.30%) [2]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.35% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012 [2]
Investor Class | Wasatch Frontier Emerging Small Countries Fund | MSCI Frontier Markets Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (14.46%) [2]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.87% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 31, 2012 [2]
[1] Wasatch Advisors, Inc. (Advisor), the Fund's investment advisor, has contractually agreed to reimburse the Investor Class shares of the Fund for Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses in excess of 2.25% of average daily net assets until at least January 31, 2017 (excluding interest, dividend expense on short sales/interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, other investment related costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business). The Board of Trustees is the only party that can terminate the contractual limitation prior to the contract's expiration. The Advisor can rescind the contractual limitation on expenses at any time after its expiration date.
[2] Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used to create indices or financial products. This report is not approved or produced by MSCI.