485BPOS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on

November 16, 2017

Registration No. 33-37214

811-06190

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM N-1A

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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / X /

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            Pre-Effective Amendment No. /   /

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Post-Effective Amendment No. 40  / X /

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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / X /

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     Amendment No. 42 / X /

(Check appropriate box or boxes)   ----

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PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code

(617) 292-1000

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It is proposed that this filing will become effective

(check appropriate box)

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/   / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

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/X / on October 30, 2017 pursuant to paragraph (b)

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/   / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

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/   / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

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/   / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

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/   / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

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If appropriate, check the following box:

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/   / this post-effective amendment designates a new

---- effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

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ROBERT T. BURNS, Vice President

PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

One Post Office Square

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

(Name and address of agent for service)

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Copy to:

BRYAN CHEGWIDDEN, Esquire

ROPES & GRAY LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 16th day of November, 2017.

Putnam International Equity Fund

By: /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Principal Executive Officer and Compliance Liaison

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

Signature Title

Jameson A. Baxter* Chair, Board of Trustees

Kenneth R. Leibler* Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Robert L. Reynolds* President and Trustee

Jonathan S. Horwitz * Executive Vice President, Principal Executive Officer and Compliance Liaison

Janet C. Smith* Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer

Liaquat Ahamed* Trustee

Ravi Akhoury* Trustee

Barbara M. Baumann* Trustee

Katinka Domotorffy* Trustee

Catharine Bond Hill* Trustee

Paul L. Joskow* Trustee

Robert E. Patterson* Trustee

George Putnam, III* Trustee

Manoj P. Singh* Trustee

By: /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz,

as Attorney-in-Fact

November 16, 2017

* Signed pursuant to power of attorney filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 27, 2017

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Putnam International Equity Fund

Goal

Putnam International Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

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 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam International Equity Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class R5	Class R6	Class T	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none	none	2.50%	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam International Equity Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class R5	Class R6	Class T		Class Y
Management fees	[1]	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%	0.66%		0.66%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%			0.25%
Other expenses		0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.23%	0.13%	0.32%	[2]	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.23%	1.98%	1.98%	1.73%	1.48%	0.89%	0.79%	1.23%		0.98%

Example

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.

Expense Example - Putnam International Equity Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	693	943	1,212	1,978
Class B	701	921	1,268	2,113
Class C	301	621	1,068	2,306
Class M	520	876	1,256	2,319
Class R	151	468	808	1,768
Class R5	91	284	493	1,096
Class R6	81	252	439	978
Class T	372	631	909	1,701
Class Y	100	312	542	1,201

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam International Equity Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	201	621	1,068	2,113
Class C	201	621	1,068	2,306

Portfolio turnover

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 67%.

Investments, risks, and performance
Investments

We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies outside the United States that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity investments. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We invest mainly in developed countries, but may invest in emerging markets. 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.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. 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 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 or become illiquid.

Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) 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.

Investments focused in a single region may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. In addition, events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries or the region as a whole. Because the fund currently, and may in the future, invests significantly in European companies, the fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers in Europe. European financial markets have in recent years experienced increased volatility due to concerns with some countries’ high levels of sovereign debt, budget deficits, and unemployment.

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.

Performance

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.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/17    22.64%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   23.24%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011     –23.03%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam International Equity Fund		1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
Class A		(8.30%)	5.91%	(0.74%)
Class A | after taxes on distributions		(8.80%)	5.65%	(1.40%)
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares		(4.00%)	4.79%	(0.37%)
Class B		(8.14%)	6.05%	(0.75%)
Class C		(4.34%)	6.37%	(0.90%)
Class M		(6.57%)	5.88%	(1.01%)
Class R		(2.91%)	6.90%	(0.40%)
Class R5	[1]	(2.33%)	7.52%	0.13%
Class R6	[1]	(2.22%)	7.62%	0.18%
Class T	[2]	(5.14%)	6.63%	(0.40%)
Class Y		(2.44%)	7.44%	0.10%
MSCI EAFE Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)		1.00%	6.53%	0.75%

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 reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index (ND). For the most recent fiscal year the fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.695%.

[2] Other expenses are based on expenses of class A shares for the fund's last fiscal year.

[1] Performance for class R5 and class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and class R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

[2] Class T shares were not outstanding during the periods shown. Performance shown for class T shares is derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted for the lower initial sales charge currently applicable to class T shares.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Document Type	dei_DocumentType	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate	Dec. 31, 2016
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND /MA/
Central Index Key	dei_EntityCentralIndexKey	0000868648
Amendment Flag	dei_AmendmentFlag	false
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	POVSX
Document Creation Date	dei_DocumentCreationDate	Oct. 30, 2017
Document Effective Date	dei_DocumentEffectiveDate	Oct. 30, 2017
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Oct. 30, 2017
Putnam International Equity Fund
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	Putnam International Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation.
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 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 67%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	67.00%
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 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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
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, risks, and performance Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies outside the United States that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity investments. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We invest mainly in developed countries, but may invest in emerging markets. 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.
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 value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. 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 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 or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) 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. Investments focused in a single region may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. In addition, events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries or the region as a whole. Because the fund currently, and may in the future, invests significantly in European companies, the fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers in Europe. European financial markets have in recent years experienced increased volatility due to concerns with some countries’ high levels of sovereign debt, budget deficits, and unemployment. 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 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 Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date performance through 9/30/17    22.64% Best calendar quarter Q2 2009   23.24% Worst calendar quarter Q3 2011     –23.03%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date performance through
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2017
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	22.64%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	23.24%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(23.03%)
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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 Closing [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock	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 reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class A
Risk Return Abstract	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]
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.23%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 693
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	943
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,212
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,978
Annual Return 2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	8.44%
Annual Return 2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(44.84%)
Annual Return 2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	25.27%
Annual Return 2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	10.09%
Annual Return 2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(15.54%)
Annual Return 2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	21.73%
Annual Return 2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	27.94%
Annual Return 2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	(6.87%)
Annual Return 2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	0.17%
Annual Return 2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	(2.70%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(8.30%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.91%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.74%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class B
Risk Return Abstract	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%	[3]
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.98%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 701
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	921
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,113
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	201
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	621
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,068
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 2,113
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(8.14%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.05%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.75%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class C
Risk Return Abstract	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%	[4]
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.98%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 301
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	621
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,068
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,306
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	201
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	621
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,068
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 2,306
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.34%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.37%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.90%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class M
Risk Return Abstract	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	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.75%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.73%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 520
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	876
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,256
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 2,319
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.57%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.88%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(1.01%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class R
Risk Return Abstract	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
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.48%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 151
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	468
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	808
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,768
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.91%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.90%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.40%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class R5
Risk Return Abstract	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
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.89%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 91
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	284
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	493
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,096
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.33%)	[5]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.52%	[5]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.13%	[5]
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class R6
Risk Return Abstract	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
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.13%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.79%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 81
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	439
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 978
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.22%)	[5]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.62%	[5]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.18%	[5]
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class T
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	2.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%	[6]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.23%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 372
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	631
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	909
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,701
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.14%)	[7]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.63%	[7]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.40%)	[7]
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class Y
Risk Return Abstract	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
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.66%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.98%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	312
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	542
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,201
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.44%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.44%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.10%
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(8.80%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.65%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(1.40%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.00%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	4.79%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	(0.37%)
Putnam International Equity Fund | MSCI EAFE Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.00%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.53%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.75%

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index (ND). For the most recent fiscal year the fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.695%.

[3] This charge is phased out over six years.

[4] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[5] Performance for class R5 and class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and class R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.

[6] Other expenses are based on expenses of class A shares for the fund's last fiscal year.

[7] Class T shares were not outstanding during the periods shown. Performance shown for class T shares is derived from the historical performance of class A shares, adjusted for the lower initial sales charge currently applicable to class T shares.