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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND /MA/
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Oct. 30, 2012
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund summary
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 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 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
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. 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 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 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.

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 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		 13.91%
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, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 13.91%
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 12/31/11)
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 INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.36%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 706
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 981
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,277
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,116
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (17.03%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 28.14%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 16.18%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 12.62%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 28.20%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 8.44%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (44.84%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 25.27%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.09%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (15.54%)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (20.39%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (8.07%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.59%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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% [3]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.11%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 714
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 961
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,334
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,250
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 214
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 661
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,134
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,250
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (20.11%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (7.96%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.43%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.11%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 314
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 661
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,134
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,441
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 214
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 661
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,134
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,441
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (16.97%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (7.68%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.43%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.86%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 532
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 914
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,321
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,453
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (18.90%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (8.10%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.33%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.61%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 164
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 508
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 876
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,911
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (15.71%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (7.21%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.95%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | Class R5
  
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
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets   
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [5]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.94%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 96
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 520
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,155
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (15.34%) [6]
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (6.74%) [6]
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.45% [6]
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | Class R6
  
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
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets   
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13% [5]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.84%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 86
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 268
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 466
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,037
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (15.34%) [6]
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (6.74%) [6]
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.45% [6]
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets   
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.11%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 353
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 612
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,352
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (15.34%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (6.74%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.45%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | after taxes on distributions | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (21.39%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (9.07%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.98%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.68%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (6.64%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.55%
PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | MSCI EAFE Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.14%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.72%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.67%
[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.
[5] Other expenses shown for class R5 and class R6 shares are based on the expenses of class A shares for the fund's last fiscal year adjusted to reflect the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R5 and class R6 shares.
[6] 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 R6 shares; had it, returns would have been higher.