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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName RUSSELL INVESTMENT CO
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Feb. 29, 2012
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective (Non-Fundamental)
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Fund seeks to provide long term capital growth.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The following 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 if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Russell Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the Front-End Sales Charges section and the More About Deferred Sales Charges section beginning on pages 189 and 192, respectively, of the Prospectus, and the Purchase, Exchange and Redemption of Fund Shares section, beginning on page 25 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. Please see the Expense Notes section of the Fund’s Prospectus for further information regarding expenses of the Fund.
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)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination February 28, 2013
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 111% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 111.00%
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 Russell 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 those periods. The example also assumes your investment has a 5% return each year and that operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs for the one year period takes into account the effect of any current contractual fee waivers and/or reimbursements. The calculation of costs for the remaining periods takes such fee waivers and/or reimbursements into account only for the first year of the periods.

      Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, under these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments, Risks and Performance
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets in small capitalization equity securities economically tied to the U.S. The Fund invests principally in common stocks of small capitalization U.S. companies, some of which are also considered micro capitalization U.S. companies. The Fund employs a multi-style (growth, value and market-oriented) and multi-manager approach whereby portions of the Fund are allocated to different money managers who employ distinct investment styles. Fund assets not allocated to money managers are managed by Russell Investment Management Company (“RIMCo”). Assets not allocated to money managers include the Fund’s liquidity reserves and assets which may be managed directly by RIMCo to modify the Fund’s portfolio characteristics as a means to manage the Fund’s risk factor exposures. The Fund usually, but not always, pursues a strategy to be fully invested by exposing its cash reserves to the performance of appropriate markets by purchasing equity securities and/or derivatives, which typically include index futures contracts. The Fund may also invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers by purchasing American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies, known as real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), that own and/or manage properties. Please refer to the “Investment Objective and Investment Strategies” section in the Fund’s Prospectus for further information.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock An investment in the Fund, like any investment, has risks. The value of the Fund fluctuates and you could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are those associated with:
  • Active Management . The securities selected for the portfolio may not perform as the Fund’s money managers expect. Additionally, securities selected may cause a Fund to underperform relative to other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies. There is no guarantee that RIMCo will effectively assess a Fund’s portfolio risk and it is possible that its judgments regarding a Fund’s risk profile may prove incorrect which could lead to underperformance or which could result in ineffective adjustments to the Fund’s portfolio characteristics.
  • Multi-Manager Approach. While the investment styles employed by the money managers are intended to be complementary, they may not in fact be complementary. A multi-manager approach could result in more exposure to certain types of securities and higher portfolio turnover.
  • Equity Securities . The value of equity securities will rise and fall in response to the activities of the company that issued them, general market conditions and/or economic conditions. Investments in small and micro capitalization companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have narrower markets, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. Small and micro capitalization stocks may also be thinly traded, and thus, difficult to buy and sell in the market. Micro capitalization company stocks are also more likely to suffer from significant diminished market liquidity.
  • REITs . REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REITs and by the quality of tenants’ credit.
  • American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) . ADRs and GDRs have the same currency and economic risks as the underlying non-U.S. shares they represent. They are affected by the risks associated with non-U.S. securities, such as changes in political or economic conditions of other countries and changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies.
  • Liquidity Risk . The market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse or volatile market or economic conditions, making those investments difficult to sell. The market price of certain investments may fall dramatically if there is no liquid trading market.
  • Derivatives . Derivatives are subject to a number of risks such as liquidity risk, market risk, credit risk, default risk, counterparty risk (the risk that the other party in an agreement will fail to perform its obligations) and management risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate exactly with the change in the value of the underlying asset, rate or index.
  • Large Redemptions . The Fund is used as an investment by certain funds of funds and in asset allocation programs and may have a large percentage of its Shares owned by such funds or held in such programs. Large redemption activity could result in the Fund incurring additional costs and being forced to sell portfolio securities at a loss to meet redemptions.
Please refer to the "Risks" section in the Fund's Prospectus for further information.

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney An investment in the Fund, like any investment, has risks. The value of the Fund fluctuates and you could lose money.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and 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 Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the performance of the Fund’s Class S Shares varies from year to year over a 10-year period.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.russell.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance, both before-tax and after-tax, is no indication of future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Class S Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block] rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock The following bar chart illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the performance of the Fund’s Class S Shares varies from year to year over a 10-year period. The returns (both before and after tax) for other Classes of Shares offered by this Prospectus may be lower than the returns shown in the bar chart, depending upon the fees and expenses of those Classes. The highest and lowest returns for a full quarter during the periods shown in the bar chart are set forth next to the bar chart.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
Highest Quarterly Return:
 23.14% (2Q/03)

Lowest Quarterly Return:
(28.83)% (4Q/08)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns
for the periods ended December 31, 2011
Performance Table Market Index Changed rr_PerformanceTableMarketIndexChanged Effective January 1, 2012, RIMCo changed the Fund’s investment strategy from investing principally in small and medium capitalization securities to investing principally in small capitalization securities. As a result, the Fund’s primary benchmark changed from the Russell 2500™ Index to the Russell 2000® Index.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate 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.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for one class. The after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher If the Fund has realized capital losses, the total return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares may be higher than the total return before taxes and the total return after taxes on distributions.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock The table accompanying the bar chart further illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods shown compare with the returns of one or more indexes that measure broad market performance. After-tax returns are shown only for one class. The after-tax returns for other classes will vary. 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 Shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. If the Fund has realized capital losses, the total return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares may be higher than the total return before taxes and the total return after taxes on distributions. For more information, see the Performance Notes section in the Fund’s Prospectus.

Past performance, both before-tax and after-tax, is no indication of future results. More current performance information is available at www.russell.com.
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class A Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25% [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 695
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 949
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,222
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,999
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.76%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.53%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.87% [3]
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class C Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75% [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.55% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.00% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.00% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 203
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 627
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,078
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,327
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.98%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.88%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.22% [3]
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class E Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.55% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.21% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 123
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 393
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 682
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,508
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.24%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.33%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.50% [3]
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class I Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.92% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.92% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 94
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 293
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 509
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,131
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.97%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.09%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.74% [3]
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class Y Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.12% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.82% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.82% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 84
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 262
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 455
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,014
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.88%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.02%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.83% [3]
Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class S Shares
  
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) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70% [2]
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none [2]
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [2]
Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 102
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 318
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,225
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (18.98%) [3]
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 46.69% [3]
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 14.51% [3]
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.22% [3]
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 16.12% [3]
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 4.77% [3]
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (43.87%) [3]
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 32.15% [3]
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 26.47% [3]
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.07%) [3]
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest Quarterly Return:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 23.14%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest Quarterly Return:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (28.83%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.07%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.17%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.70% [3]
Return After Taxes on Distributions | Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class S Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.12%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.97%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.06% [3]
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund | Class S Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.58%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.18%) [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.66% [3]
Russell 2500TM Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.51%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.24% [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.57% [3]
Russell 2000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Russell U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.18%) [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.15% [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.62% [3]
[1] The Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) is charged on the lesser of the purchase price of the Shares being redeemed or the net asset value of those Shares at the time of redemption.
[2] "Less Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements" and "Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses" have been restated to reflect a reduction in the transfer agency fee waiver for Class E Shares. Until February 28, 2013, RFSC has contractually agreed to waive 0.04% of its transfer agency fees for Class E Shares. This waiver may not be terminated during the relevant period except with Board approval.
[3] Effective January 1, 2012, RIMCo changed the Fund's investment strategy from investing principally in small and medium capitalization securities to investing principally in small capitalization securities. As a result, the Fund's primary benchmark changed from the Russell 2500 Index to the Russell 2000 Index. The returns shown above reflect the performance of the Fund's previous investment strategy. Had the Fund pursued its new strategy prior to January 1, 2012, the returns shown above would have been different.