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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Aug. 31, 2012
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName TEMPLETON FUNDS
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000225930
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Dec. 27, 2012
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Jan. 01, 2013
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Jan. 01, 2013
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund Summary
Templeton Foreign Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Long-term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Franklin Templeton funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and under “Your Account” on page 28 in the Fund's Prospectus and under “Buying and Selling Shares” on page 49 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
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 that 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 costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 20.17% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 20.17%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Franklin Templeton funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption If you do not sell your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in foreign securities, which may include emerging markets. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in the equity securities of such foreign companies located outside the U.S. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are predominantly common stock. Although the investment manager will search for investments across a large number of countries and sectors, from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant positions in particular countries or sectors.

When choosing equity investments for the Fund, the investment manager applies a “bottom-up,” value-oriented, long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to the investment manager’s evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. The investment manager also considers a company’s price/earnings ratio, price/cash flow ratio, profit margins and liquidation value.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in foreign securities, which may include emerging markets.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

Market

The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security’s market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Individual stock prices tend to go up and down more dramatically than those of other types of investments. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various stocks held by the Fund.

Foreign Securities

Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, and includes risks associated with: political and economic developments - the political, economic and social structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S.; trading practices - government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets, trading systems and brokers may be less than in the U.S.; availability of information - foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers; limited markets - the securities of certain foreign issuers may be less liquid (harder to sell) and more volatile; and currency exchange rate fluctuations and policies. The risks of foreign investments may be greater in developing or emerging market countries.

Value Style Investing

A value stock may not increase in price as anticipated by the investment manager if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price, the markets favor faster-growing companies, or the factors that the investment manager believes will increase the price of the security do not occur.

Management

The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Fund's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.

Focus

To the extent that the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable, compared with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You can obtain updated performance information at franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.

Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable, compared with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress franklintempleton.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading CLASS A ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Best Quarter:Q2'0928.36%
Worst Quarter:Q4'08-24.25%
As of September 30, 2012, the Fund's year-to-date return was 9.12%.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
(figures reflect sales charges)

For the periods ended December 31, 2011
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of 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 not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Templeton Foreign Fund | MSCI EAFE Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.73%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.26%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.12%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.21%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 691
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 937
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,957
Annual Return 2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (8.64%)
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 30.51%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 18.14%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 10.63%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.93%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 17.24%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (46.09%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 49.73%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 8.50%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (12.71%)
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel As of September 30, 2012, the Fund's year-to-date return was 9.12%.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 28.36%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (24.25%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return Before Taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (17.77%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.31%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.68%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (17.88%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.87%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.51%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.86%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.60%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.20%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class B
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none [1]
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 4.00% [1]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.95%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 598
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 912
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,083
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 198
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 612
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,052
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,083
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (16.90%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.10%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.66%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.96%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 299
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 615
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,057
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,285
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 199
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 615
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,057
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,285
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (14.20%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.90%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.52%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Class R
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 149
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 462
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 797
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,746
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.97%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.41%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.03%
Templeton Foreign Fund | Advisor Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 306
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 531
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,178
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.57%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.92%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.55%
Templeton World Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Long-term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Franklin Templeton funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and under “Your Account” on page 26 in the Fund's Prospectus and under “Buying and Selling Shares” on page 49 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
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 that 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 costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 18.77% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 18.77%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Franklin Templeton funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption If you do not sell your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of companies located anywhere in the world, including emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest in issuers located in at least three different countries (including the U.S.). The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stock, and may include smaller and midsize companies. Although the investment manager will search for investments across a large number of countries and sectors, from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant positions in particular countries or sectors.

When choosing equity investments for the Fund, the investment manager applies a “bottom-up,” value-oriented, long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to the investment manager’s evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. The investment manager also considers a company’s price/earnings ratio, price/cash flow ratio, profit margins and liquidation value.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in the equity securities of companies located anywhere in the world, including emerging markets.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

Market

The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A security’s market value may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all securities. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

Individual stock prices tend to go up and down more dramatically than those of other types of investments. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various stocks held by the Fund.

Foreign Securities

Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, and includes risks associated with: political and economic developments - the political, economic and social structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S.; trading practices - government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets, trading systems and brokers may be less than in the U.S.; availability of information - foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers; limited markets - the securities of certain foreign issuers may be less liquid (harder to sell) and more volatile; and currency exchange rate fluctuations and policies. The risks of foreign investments may be greater in developing or emerging market countries.

Value Style Investing

A value stock may not increase in price as anticipated by the investment manager if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price, the markets favor faster-growing companies, or the factors that the investment manager believes will increase the price of the security do not occur.

Management

The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Fund's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.

Focus

To the extent that the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable, compared with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You can obtain updated performance information at franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.

Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable, compared with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress franklintempleton.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading CLASS A ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Best Quarter:Q2'0319.81%
Worst Quarter:Q4'08-19.25%
As of September 30, 2012, the Fund's year-to-date return was 13.25%.
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
(figures reflect sales charges)

For the periods ended December 31, 2011
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

Historical performance for Advisor Class shares prior to their inception is based on the performance of Class A shares. Advisor Class performance has been adjusted to reflect differences in sales charges between classes.

The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of 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 not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Templeton World Fund | MSCI World Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.02%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.82%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.15%
Templeton World Fund | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.09%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 680
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 902
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,141
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,827
Annual Return 2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (12.15%)
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 33.38%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 15.63%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 11.67%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 20.89%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 8.49%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (39.52%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 32.61%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 7.99%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (5.49%)
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel As of September 30, 2012, the Fund's year-to-date return was 13.25%.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.81%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (19.25%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return Before Taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.95%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.49%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.35%
Templeton World Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.09%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.99%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.59%
Templeton World Fund | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (6.64%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.78%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
Templeton World Fund | Class B
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none [1]
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 4.00% [1]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.84%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 587
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 879
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,195
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,962
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 187
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 995
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 1,962
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.90%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.41%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.35%
Templeton World Fund | Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.84%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 579
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 995
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,159
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 187
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 995
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,159
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.12%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.07%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.19%
Templeton World Fund | Advisor Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Cumulative Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.84%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 86
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 466
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,037
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.21%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.10%)
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.12% [2]
[1] New or additional investments into Class B are no longer permitted.
[2] Since inception May 15, 2006.