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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 30, 2018
Great-West Bond Index Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the debt securities that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Benchmark Index”).
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If the fees and expenses imposed by a Permitted Account were reflected, the fees and expenses shown below would be higher.
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 April 30, 2019
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. 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 turnover rate was 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 33.00%
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 does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account were reflected, the fees and expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and applies whether you hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of each period. The Example also assumes that the expense reimbursement is in place for the first year, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities included in the Benchmark Index and, using sampling techniques, a portfolio of securities designed to give the Fund the relevant comparable attributes of the Benchmark Index. Attributes of the Benchmark Index the sampling techniques are designed to replicate include its sectors, yield, duration, credit quality and spread. This may be accomplished through owning a combination of fixed income securities, futures contracts on the Benchmark Index, and options on futures contracts.

The Benchmark Index covers the U.S. investment-grade bond market, including corporate, government and mortgage-backed securities, and includes securities with short-, medium-, and long-term maturities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock The following is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund:

Credit Risk - An issuer may default on its obligations to pay principal and/or interest. A security’s value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer’s financial conditions.

Derivatives Risk - The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, including but not limited to, futures contracts on the Benchmark Index and options on futures contracts. Using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives can also make a fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets, and may increase the Fund’s volatility. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts will work as intended, and it is possible for the Fund to lose more than its original investment.

Index Risk - It is possible the Benchmark Index may perform unfavorably and/or underperform the market as a whole. The Fund is not actively managed and the portfolio managers do not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets. Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the performance of individual securities could cause the Fund’s return to be lower than if the Fund employed an active strategy.

Interest Rate Risk - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities generally declines and when interest rates decline, market values of such securities generally rise. The longer a security’s maturity, that is, the time remaining until the final payment on the security is due, the greater the risk and the higher its yield. Conversely, the shorter a security’s maturity, the lower the risk and the lower its yield. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy may affect the level of interest rates.

Liquidity Risk - The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to sell the securities at or near their perceived value. In such a market, the value of such securities and the Fund’s share price may fall dramatically. Extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could disrupt the market for fixed-income securities and result in fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value. Increased redemptions due to a rise in interest rates may require the Fund to liquidate its holdings at an unfavorable time and/or under adverse or disadvantageous conditions which may negatively affect the Fund.

Management Risk - A strategy used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results.

Market Risk - The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up and 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.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk – Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. These securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) or more slowly than expected (extension risk), which will affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. In addition, faster than expected prepayments may cause the Fund to invest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, and slower than expected prepayments may reduce the potential for the Fund to invest in higher yielding securities.

Tracking Error Risk - The Fund may not be able to precisely track the performance of the Benchmark Index.

U.S. Government Securities Risk – U.S. Government securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates or a default by, or decline in the credit quality of, the U.S. Government.

U.S. Government-Sponsored Securities Risk - Securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency,
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Investor Class shares for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund's average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.greatwestfunds.com (the website does not form a part of this Prospectus).
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Investor Class shares for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund's average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.greatwestfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar Year Total Returns
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund’s recurring expenses, but do not include fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If those fees and expenses were reflected, the performance shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
  Quarter Ended Total Return
Best Quarter December 2008 5.28%
Worst Quarter December 2016 -3.23%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2017
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.13%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 15
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 48
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 85
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 192
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 15
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 48
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 85
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 192
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.30%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.89% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.13%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.03%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.51%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.01% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.50%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 51
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 163
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 284
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 640
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 51
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 163
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 284
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 640
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 6.40%
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 6.18%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 6.50%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 7.21%
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 3.90%
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 (2.51%)
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 5.76%
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 0.23%
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 1.94%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 3.06%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.28%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2016
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (3.23%)
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.06%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.66%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.82%
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.13%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.39%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.02% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.75%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 77
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 244
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 426
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 952
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 77
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 244
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 426
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 952
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.75%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.40%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.15% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.54%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.04% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.54%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.10%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.01%
Great-West Bond Index Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.54%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.10%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.90% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 29, 2011
[1] GWCM has contractually agreed to waive fees or reimburse expenses that exceed 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to each Class, excluding Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees, Shareholder Services Fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, dividend interest on short sales, interest expenses, and any extraordinary expenses, including litigation costs (the “Expense Limit”). The agreement’s current term ends on April 30, 2019 and automatically renews for one-year terms unless it is terminated by Great-West Funds or GWCM upon written notice within 90 days of the end of the current term or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement. Under the agreement, GWCM may recoup, subject to Board approval, these waivers and reimbursements in future periods, not exceeding three years following the particular waiver/reimbursement, provided Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a Class plus such recoupment do not exceed the lesser of the Expense Limit that was in place at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the Expense Limit in place at the time of recoupment.
[2] Since inception on May 1, 2015
[3] Since inception on July 29, 2011