Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	FRANKLIN CUSTODIAN FUNDS
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	Capital appreciation.
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 150 in the Fund's Prospectus and under “Buying and Selling Shares” on page 85 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. In addition, more information about sales charge discounts and waivers for purchases of shares through specific financial intermediaries is set forth in Appendix A - "Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" to the Fund's prospectus. Please note that the tables and examples below do not reflect any transaction fees that may be charged by financial intermediaries, or commissions that a shareholder may be required to pay directly to its financial intermediary when buying or selling Class R6 or Advisor Class shares.
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 9.01% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	9.01%
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. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Fund's operating expenses due to the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by management for the 1 Year numbers only. 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 substantially in the equity securities of companies that are leaders in their industries. In selecting securities, the investment manager considers many factors, including historical and potential growth in revenues and earnings, assessment of strength and quality of management, and determination of a company's strategic positioning in its industry. Although the Fund normally invests substantially in the equity securities (principally common stocks) of U.S.-based large and medium market capitalization companies, it may invest in companies in new and emerging industries where growth is expected to be above average and may invest up to 25% of its assets in smaller companies. The Fund's investment manager is a research driven, fundamental investor, generally pursuing a "buy-and-hold" growth strategy. As a "bottom-up" investor focusing primarily on individual securities, the investment manager chooses companies that it believes are positioned for growth in revenues, earnings or assets. Such advantages as a particular marketing niche, proven technology, sound financial records, strong management, and industry leadership are all factors the investment manager believes point to strong growth potential. Although the investment manager searches for investments across a large number of sectors, from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant positions in particular sectors including technology, health care and industrials.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]	rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration	Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially in the equity securities of companies that are leaders in their industries.
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 or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The market value of a security or other investment 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 investments. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise. Stock prices tend to go up and down more dramatically than those of debt securities. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various stocks held by the Fund. The current global outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, has resulted in market closures and dislocations, extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit ratings downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity across many industries and may heighten other pre-existing political, social and economic risks, locally or globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unpredictable and may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. 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. For example, the technology sector historically has been volatile due to the rapid pace of product change and development. Companies in the technology sector may be affected by worldwide technological developments, the success of their products and services (which may be outdated quickly), anticipated products or services that are delayed or cancelled, and investor perception of the company and/or its products or services. The activities of health care companies may be funded or subsidized by federal and state governments and changes in funding may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Companies in the industrials sector are at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims and may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of export or import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technological developments and labor relations. In addition, companies in all of these sectors may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. Growth Style Investing Growth stock prices reflect projections of future earnings or revenues, and can, therefore, fall dramatically if the company fails to meet those projections. Prices of these companies’ securities may be more volatile than other securities, particularly over the short term. Small and Mid Capitalization Companies Securities issued by small and mid capitalization companies may be more volatile in price than those of companies and may involve more risks. Such risks may include greater sensitivity to economic conditions, less certain growth prospects, lack of depth of management and funds for growth and development, and limited or less developed product lines and markets. In addition, small and mid capitalization companies may be particularly affected by interest rate increases, as they may find it more difficult to borrow money to continue or expand operations, or may have difficulty in repaying any loans. 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.
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.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns(figures reflect sales charges) For the periods ended December 31, 2020
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock	The figures in the average annual total returns table above reflect the Class A maximum front-end sales charge of 5.50%. Prior to September 10, 2018, Class A shares were subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. If the prior maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% was reflected, performance for Class A in the average annual total returns table would be lower. 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.
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Class A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	5.50%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none	[1]
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Total annual Fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.83%	[2]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.82%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 629
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	799
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	984
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,518
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	0.63%
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	13.69%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	29.39%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	14.88%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	1.94%
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	8.41%
2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	26.82%
2018	rr_AnnualReturn2018	(3.39%)
2019	rr_AnnualReturn2019	32.17%
2020	rr_AnnualReturn2020	30.64%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	23.86%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Mar. 31, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(16.16%)
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Class C
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	1.00%
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Total annual Fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.58%	[2]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.57%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 260
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	498
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	860
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,878
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	160
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	498
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	860
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,878
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Class R
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Total annual Fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.08%	[2]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.07%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 109
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	343
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	595
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 1,317
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.04%	[4]
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Total annual Fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.49%	[2]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.48%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 49
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	156
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	273
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 615
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Advisor Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Total annual Fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.58%	[2]
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.57%	[2],[3]
1 year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 58
3 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	185
5 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	323
10 years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	$ 725
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Return Before Taxes | Class A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Return Before Taxes
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	23.45%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	16.73%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.15%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Return Before Taxes | Class C
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	28.67%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	17.18%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	13.94%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Return Before Taxes | Class R
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	30.31%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	17.77%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.51%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Return Before Taxes | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	31.08%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	18.50%
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	16.97%	[5]
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | Return Before Taxes | Advisor Class
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	30.96%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	18.36%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	15.09%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | After Taxes on Distributions | Class A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Return After Taxes on Distributions
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	21.21%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	15.56%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	13.44%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales | Class A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	15.38%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	13.31%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	11.78%
Franklin Custodian Funds-31 | Franklin Growth Fund | S&P 500 Index (index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Past 1 year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	18.40%
Past 5 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	15.21%
Past 10 years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	13.88%

[1] 1. There is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge that applies to investments of $1 million or more (see "Investments of $1 Million or More – DynaTech, Focused Growth and Growth Funds" under "Choosing a Share Class") and purchases by certain retirement plans without an initial sales charge on shares sold within 18 months of purchase.

[2] 2. Total annual Fund operating expenses differ from the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

[3] 3. The investment manager has contractually agreed in advance to reduce its fee as a result of the Fund's investment in a Franklin Templeton money fund (acquired fund) for at least one year following the date of this prospectus. Contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreements may not be changed or terminated during the time period set forth above.

[4] 1. The transfer agent has contractually agreed to cap transfer agency fees for Class R6 shares of the Fund so that the transfer agency fees for that class do not exceed 0.03% until January 31, 2022. Contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreements may not be changed or terminated during the time period set forth above.

[5] 1. Since inception May 1, 2013.