Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 01, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	ALEC
Entity File Number	001-38792
Entity Tax Identification Number	82-2933343
Entity Address, Address Line One	131 Oyster Point Blvd
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	South San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94080
City Area Code	415
Local Phone Number	231-5660
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Registrant Name	Alector, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001653087
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		79,242,709
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE