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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Dec. 30, 2012
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Putnam Global Utilities Fund seeks capital growth and current income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The following table describes the fees and expenses 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 Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).
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 you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund's shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund's turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 44%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 44.00%
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 Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the utilities industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Potential investments include electric, gas or water utilities and companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company's valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the utilities industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The prices of stocks in the fund's portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The utilities industries may be affected by increases in fuel costs, technological obsolescence, changes in regulatory policies and deregulation. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund's "non-diversified" status, which means the fund has the ability to invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a "diversified fund," can increase the fund's vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund's "non-diversified" status, which means the fund has the ability to invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a "diversified fund," can increase the fund's vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund's performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund's performance year to year and over time.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress putnam.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Year-to-date
performance
through 9/30/12

5.79%
Best calendar
quarter
Q2 2003

18.32%
Worst calendar
quarter
Q3 2008		 -19.72%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date performance through
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 5.79%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 18.32%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (19.72%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges
(for periods ending 12/31/11)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance does not reflect conversion to class A shares.
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | 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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 700
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 963
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,247
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,053
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (23.89%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 24.60%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 21.38%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 8.74%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 26.65%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 19.75%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (30.55%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 7.39%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 1.46%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (5.70%)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.09%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.24%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.48%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | Class B
  
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 5.00% [4]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.05%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 708
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 943
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,303
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,187
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 208
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 643
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,103
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,187
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.94%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.19%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.31%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | 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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [5]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.05%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 308
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 643
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,103
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,379
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 208
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 643
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,103
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,379
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.27%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.82%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.31%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | Class M
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 3.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 0.65% [1]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.80%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 526
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 897
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,291
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,392
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.38%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.26%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.20%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | Class R
  
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 158
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 490
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 845
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,845
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.94%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.34%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.82%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | 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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00% [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets   
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.05%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 107
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 334
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 579
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,283
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.37%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.85%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.25%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | after taxes on distributions | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.51%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.64%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.04%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (6.63%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.54%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.05%
PUTNAM GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND | MSCI World Utilities Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.28%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.69%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.34%
[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[2] This fee applies only to shares purchased before 1/2/2013.
[3] Restated to reflect current fees.
[4] This charge is phased out over six years.
[5] This charge is eliminated after one year.