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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 Mid Cap Value 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 long-term growth of capital.
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 208% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 208.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
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 any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in mid-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Value Index as of December 31, 2017 was between $348.6 million and $33.9 billion.

The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in companies with public stock market capitalizations outside the range of companies constituting the Russell Midcap® Value Index at the time of investment and in fixed income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

The Fund is managed using a quantitative investment process, in combination with a qualitative overlay. The Sub-Adviser’s investment style emphasizes fundamentally-based stock selection, careful portfolio construction and efficient implementation. The Fund’s investments are selected using fundamental research and a variety of quantitative techniques based on certain investment themes, including, among others, fundamental mispricings, high quality business models, sentiment analysis and market themes and trends. Fundamental mispricings seeks to identify high-quality businesses trading at a fair price, which the Sub-Adviser believes leads to strong performance over the long-run. High quality business models seek to identify companies that are generating high-quality revenues with sustainable business models and aligned management incentives. Sentiment analysis seeks to identify stocks that are experiencing improvements in their overall market sentiment. Market themes and trends seeks to identify companies positively positioned to benefit from themes and trends in the market and macroeconomic environment. The Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, make changes to its quantitative techniques, or use other quantitative techniques that are based on the Sub-Adviser’s proprietary research. The Fund seeks to maintain risk, style, and capitalization characteristics similar to the Russell MidCap® Value Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of mid cap companies with low earnings growth expectations.

The Fund may use derivatives, including futures contracts, to equitize excess cash in the Fund. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities.
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:

Currency Risk - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and other currencies may cause the Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

Depositary Receipts Risk - Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency.

Derivatives Risk - The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, including but not limited to, 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.

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, currency valuation or economic developments. In addition, emerging markets may be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and the securities of emerging markets issuers often are subject to rapid and large changes in price.

Fixed Income Securities Risk - Investments in fixed income securities will be subject to risk associated with changes in interest rates generally and the credit quality of the individual fixed income securities held.

Interest Rate Risk - Small and medium size companies in which the Fund may invest include real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REIT stock prices overall may decline because of rising interest rates. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. If so, it could cause an increase in interest rates, which could have a negative impact on REIT stock prices and could negatively affect the Fund's net asset value.

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

Market Risk - Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments in the U.S. and in other countries. Market risk may affect a single company, a sector of the economy, or the market as a whole.

Portfolio Turnover Risk - High portfolio turnover rates generally result in higher transaction costs (which are borne directly by the Fund and indirectly by shareholders).

Quantitative Model Risk - The success of the investment strategy depends largely upon the effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser’s quantitative model. The Sub-Adviser’s ability to monitor and, if necessary, adjust its quantitative model could be adversely affected by various factors, including incorrect or outdated market and other data inputs.

Small and Medium Size Company Securities Risk - The stocks of small and medium size companies often involve more risk and volatility than those of larger companies. Among other things, small and medium size companies are often dependent on a small number of products and have limited financial resources, and there is generally less publicly available information about them. Securities of small and medium size companies have lower trading volume and are less liquid than securities of larger, more established companies.

Value Stock Risk - The value approach carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately valued.

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 in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s Institutional Class and Investor Class average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations. Class L share performance information will appear in future versions of this Prospectus after Class L shares have annual returns for at least one complete calendar year. 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 in each full calendar year since inception and by comparing the Fund’s Institutional Class and Investor Class average annual total return to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess No Class L share performance data is provided because Class L shares have not commenced operations.
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 September 2009 22.44%
Worst Quarter September 2011 -17.74%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2017
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.02% [1]
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.01% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 82
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 258
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 449
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,001
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 82
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 258
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 449
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,001
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.45%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.81% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [1]
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.19%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.04% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.15%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 117
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 374
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 650
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,440
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 117
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 374
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 650
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,440
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 29.27%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 22.49%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.92%
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.47%
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 33.66%
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 16.10%
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (4.03%)
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 20.29%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 16.99%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.44%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.74%)
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.99%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.95%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.74% [4]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.79%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [1]
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.44%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.04% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.40%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 143
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 452
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 783
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,721
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 143
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 452
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 783
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,721
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.34%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.65% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.34%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.68%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.39% [4]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2008
[1] Other Expenses are estimated for Class L shares because the class has not yet commenced operations.
[2] GWCM has contractually agreed to waive fees or reimburse expenses that exceed 0.80% 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.
[3] Since inception on May 1, 2015
[4] Since inception on May 15, 2008