Label	Element	Value
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Document Type	dei_DocumentType	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate	Dec. 31, 2017
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	Nov. 25, 2018
Document Effective Date	dei_DocumentEffectiveDate	Oct. 30, 2018
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Oct. 30, 2018
Putnam International Equity Fund
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	<b>Fund Summary</b>
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	<b>Goal</b>
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	Putnam International Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	<b>Fees and expenses</b>
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	<b>Shareholder fees </b><i>(fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	<b>Annual fund operating expenses </b><i><br />(expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	<b>Portfolio turnover</b>
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 61%
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	61.00%
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 <i>How do I buy fund shares?</i> beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to the fund’s prospectus, and in <i>How to buy shares</i> 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	<b>Example</b>
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	<b>Investments, risks, and performance</b><br /> <br /> <b>Investments</b>
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	<b>Risks</b>
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, industry or sector. 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. 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. 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. 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	<b>Performance</b>
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	<b>Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges</b>
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 9/30/18    −4.24% 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, 2018
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	(4.24%)
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	<b>Average annual total returns after sales charges </b><i>(for periods ended 12/31/17)</i>
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	0.68%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.22%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 692
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	940
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,207
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,967
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%)
Annual Return 2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	26.47%
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	19.20%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.72%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.80%
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	0.68%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.97%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 700
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	918
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,262
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,102
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	200
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	618
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,062
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 2,102
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	20.50%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.87%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.78%
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	0.68%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.97%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	618
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,062
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,296
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	200
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	618
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,062
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 2,296
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	24.54%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.18%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.64%
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	0.68%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.75%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.72%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 519
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	873
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,251
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 2,309
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	21.44%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.68%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.53%
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	0.68%	[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.47%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 150
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	465
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	803
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,757
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	26.14%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.71%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.14%
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	0.68%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.21%
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	26.84%	[5]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.33%	[5]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.69%	[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	0.68%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.11%
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	27.00%	[5]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.45%	[5]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.75%	[5]
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	0.68%	[2]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.97%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 99
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	309
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	536
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,190
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	26.76%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.26%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.65%
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	19.30%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.49%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.54%
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	11.13%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	5.37%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.68%
Putnam International Equity Fund | MSCI EAFE Value 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	25.03%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.90%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.94%

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

[2] Management fees are subject to 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 management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.693%.

[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.