Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Aug. 02, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	PRLD
Entity Registrant Name	PRELUDE THERAPEUTICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001678660
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,833,307
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-39527
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	81-1384762
Entity Address, Address Line One	200 Powder Mill Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Wilmington
Entity Address, State or Province	DE
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19803
City Area Code	302
Local Phone Number	467-1280
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false