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Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Document Typedei_DocumentType485BPOS
Document Period End Datedei_DocumentPeriodEndDateJun. 30, 2011
Registrant Namedei_EntityRegistrantNamePUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND /MA/
Central Index Keydei_EntityCentralIndexKey0000868648
Amendment Flagdei_AmendmentFlagfalse
Document Creation Datedei_DocumentCreationDateOct. 28, 2011
Document Effective Datedei_DocumentEffectiveDateOct. 30, 2011
Prospectus Daterr_ProspectusDateOct. 30, 2011
Putnam International Equity Fund
 
Risk/Return:rr_RiskReturnAbstract 
Risk/Return [Heading]rr_RiskReturnHeadingFund summary
Objective [Heading]rr_ObjectiveHeadingGoal
Objective, Primary [Text Block]rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlockPutnam International Equity Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Fees and expensespief868648_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract 
Expense [Heading]rr_ExpenseHeadingFees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlockThe 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 13 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 Discountspief868648_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract 
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsYou 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 13 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
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]rr_ShareholderFeesCaptionShareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]rr_OperatingExpensesCaptionAnnual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Expense Example [Heading]rr_ExpenseExampleHeadingExample
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlockThe 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.
Portfolio turnoverpief868648_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract 
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeadingPortfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlockThe fund pays transaction-related costs 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 80%.
Portfolio Turnover, Raterr_PortfolioTurnoverRate80.00%
Strategy [Heading]rr_StrategyHeadingInvestments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlockWe (Putnam Investment Management, LLC) 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. 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 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.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentrationWe (Putnam Investment Management, LLC) 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.
Risk [Heading]rr_RiskHeadingRisks
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. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments 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. International investments, particularly emerging-market investments, can be illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by, for example, increasing investment exposure or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions.

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_RiskLoseMoneyIt is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitutionAn investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Performancepief868648_FundPastPerformanceAbstract 
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeadingPerformance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlockThe 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_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturnsThe 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.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoadsThe bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuturePlease remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlockMonthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddressputnam.com
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
Bar Chart [Heading]rr_BarChartHeadingAnnual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance

through 9/30/11

-19.61%

Best calendar quarter

Q2 2009

23.24%

Worst calendar quarter

Q3 2008

-22.29%

Year to Date Return, Labelrr_YearToDateReturnLabelYear-to-date performance through
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Daterr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDateSep. 30, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Returnrr_BarChartYearToDateReturn(19.61%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabelBest calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDateJun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn23.24%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Labelrr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabelWorst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Daterr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDateSep. 30, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Returnrr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn(22.29%)
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Captionrr_AverageAnnualReturnCaptionAverage annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/10)
Performance Table Narrativerr_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.

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Raterr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRateAfter-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 Deferredrr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferredActual 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_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShownAfter-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class A
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass A
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice1.00%[1]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass A
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets0.25%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.37%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass A
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01706
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03984
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,282
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,127
Annual Total Returnsrr_BarChartTableAbstract 
2001rr_AnnualReturn2001(19.76%)
2002rr_AnnualReturn2002(17.03%)
2003rr_AnnualReturn200328.14%
2004rr_AnnualReturn200416.18%
2005rr_AnnualReturn200512.62%
2006rr_AnnualReturn200628.20%
2007rr_AnnualReturn20078.44%
2008rr_AnnualReturn2008(44.94%)
2009rr_AnnualReturn200925.27%
2010rr_AnnualReturn201010.09%
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class B
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass B
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_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice5.00%[3]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass B
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets2.12%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass B
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01715
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03964
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,339
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,261
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass B (no redemption)
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01215
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03664
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear051,139
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear102,261
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class C
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass C
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_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice1.00%[4]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass C
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets1.00%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets2.12%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass C
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01315
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03664
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,139
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,452
Expense Example, No Redemptionrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnNameClass C (no redemption)
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01215
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03664
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear051,139
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear102,452
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class M
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass M
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice3.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice0.65%[1]
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass M
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets0.75%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.87%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass M
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01533
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03917
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear051,326
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear102,464
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class R
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass R
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_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass R
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets0.50%
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.62%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass R
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01165
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03511
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear05881
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear101,922
Putnam International Equity Fund | Class Y
 
Shareholder feesrr_ShareholderFeesAbstract 
Share classrr_ShareholderFeesColumnNameClass Y
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_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Annual fund operating expensesrr_OperatingExpensesAbstract 
Share classrr_OperatingExpensesColumnNameClass Y
Management feesrr_ManagementFeesOverAssets0.73%[2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) feesrr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 
Other expensesrr_OtherExpensesOverAssets0.39%
Total annual fund operating expensesrr_ExpensesOverAssets1.12%
Expense Examplerr_ExpenseExampleAbstract 
Share classrr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnNameClass Y
1 yearrr_ExpenseExampleYear01114
3 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear03356
5 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear05617
10 yearsrr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,363
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear013.78%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05(0.06%)
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear101.07%
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class B
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass B
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear014.21%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear050.05%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear100.90%
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class C
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass C
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear018.29%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear050.36%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear100.92%
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class M
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass M
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear015.72%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05(0.10%)
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear100.80%
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class R
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass R
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear019.81%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear050.86%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear101.42%
Putnam International Equity Fund | before taxes | Class Y
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass Y
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelbefore taxes
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear0110.42%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear051.38%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear101.93%
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelafter taxes on distributions
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear013.61%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05(1.05%)
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear100.59%
Putnam International Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Share classrr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnNameClass A
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelafter taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear012.99%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear050.01%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear101.04%
Putnam International Equity Fund | MSCI EAFE Index (ND)
 
Average Annual Total Returnsrr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract 
Labelrr_AverageAnnualReturnLabelMSCI EAFE Index (ND)
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes(no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)
1 yearrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear017.75%
5 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear052.46%
10 yearsrr_AverageAnnualReturnYear103.50%
[1]Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[2]Management fees are subject to a performance adjustment.
[3]This charge is phased out over six years.
[4]This charge is eliminated after one year.