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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 Ariel 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 capital appreciation.
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 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 19.00%
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 the securities of issuers classified in the medium/small ($3.61 billion to $10.15 billion as of December 31, 2017), medium ($10.15 billion to $29.13 billion as of December 31, 2017) or medium/large ($29.13 billion to $102.05 billion as of December 31, 2017) capitalization quintiles of the Russell 3000® Index. The Fund seeks to invest in quality companies in industries in which the Sub-Adviser has expertise. These include the financial services and consumer discretionary sectors, in which the Fund often will invest a significant portion of its assets. The Fund will emphasize issuers that are believed to be undervalued but demonstrate a strong potential for growth. The Fund generally holds between 25-45 securities in its portfolio.

The Fund also currently observes the following operating policies: actively seeking investment in companies that achieve excellence in both financial return and environmental soundness, and selecting issuers that take positive steps toward preserving the environment; and not investing in corporations whose primary source of revenue is derived from the production or sale of tobacco products or the manufacture of handguns.
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:

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.

Sector Risk - Sector risk is a possibility that certain sectors of the economy may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole. The Fund often will invest a significant portion of its assets in companies within the financial services and consumer discretionary sectors and its performance may suffer if these sectors underperform the overall stock market.

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 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 Fund's benchmark has changed from the Russell Midcap® Index to the Russell Midcap® Value Index to more readily identify the Fund’s intended investment style in addition to market capitalization. Returns for both indices are included in the table below for comparative purposes. 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 September 2009 29.45%
Worst Quarter December 2008 -29.57%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2017
Performance Table Market Index Changed rr_PerformanceTableMarketIndexChanged The Fund's benchmark has changed from the Russell Midcap® Index to the Russell Midcap® Value Index to more readily identify the Fund’s intended investment style in addition to market capitalization. Returns for both indices are included in the table below for comparative purposes.
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.67%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.07%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.07%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.04% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 72
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 233
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 408
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 915
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 72
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 233
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 408
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 915
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.28%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.32% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.67%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.03% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.05%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 107
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 340
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 593
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,314
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 107
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 340
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 593
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,314
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (40.38%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 62.95%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 19.54%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (6.87%)
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 20.20%
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 47.54%
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 7.80%
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (6.10%)
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 13.05%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 15.01%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 29.45%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (29.57%)
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.01%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.19%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.71%
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.67%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Shareholder Services Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Other Expenses rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.67%
Total Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.94%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.64% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 132
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 547
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 988
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,213
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 132
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 547
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 988
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,213
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.73%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.40% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 20, 2013
Great-West Ariel 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% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Ariel 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%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.10%
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.34%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.98% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 20, 2013
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Institutional Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.52%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.60% [2]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2015
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Investor Class  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.52%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.96%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.11%
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund | Russell Midcap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.52%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.07% [3]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 20, 2013
[1] GWCM has contractually agreed to waive fees or reimburse expenses that exceed 0.70% 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 December 20, 2013