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AMERICAN BALANCED FUND®  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading AMERICAN BALANCED FUND®
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objectives
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The investment objectives of the fund are: (1) conservation of capital, (2) current income and (3) long-term growth of capital and income.
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. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section on page 26 of the prospectus and on page 67 of the fund’s statement of additional information.
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 investment results. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 82% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 82.00%
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 $25,000 in American Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 25,000
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 that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption 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 For the share classes listed to the right, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The fund uses a balanced approach to invest in a broad range of securities, including common stocks and investment-grade bonds (rated Baa3 or better or BBB- or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality). The fund also invests in securities issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government and by federal agencies and instrumentalities. In addition, the fund may invest a portion of its assets in common stocks, most of which have a history of paying dividends, bonds and other securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States.


Normally the fund will maintain at least 50% of the value of its assets in common stocks and at least 25% of the value of its assets in debt securities, including money market securities. Although the fund focuses on investments in medium to larger capitalization companies, the fund’s investments are not limited to a particular capitalization size.


The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers who decide how their respective segments will be invested.


The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued securities that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund’s principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.


Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks, bonds and other securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.


Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments.


Investing in income-oriented stocks — Income provided by the fund may be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available for dividend payments at, the companies in which the fund invests.


Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.


Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.


Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the debt securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to mitigate various credit and default risks.


Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.


Investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities — Mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, include debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund’s cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities.


Liquidity risk — Certain fund holdings may be deemed to be less liquid or illiquid because they cannot be readily sold without significantly impacting the value of the holdings. Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market for a holding, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or the reduced number and capacity of market participants to make a market in such holding. Market prices for less liquid or illiquid holdings may be volatile, and reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on the market price of such holdings. Additionally, the sale of less liquid or illiquid holdings may involve substantial delays (including delays in settlement) and additional costs and the fund may be unable to sell such holdings when necessary to meet its liquidity needs.


Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, that could adversely impact the value of these securities. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.


Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.


Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Investment results
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The 60% S&P 500/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a composite blend of 60% of the S&P 500 Index and 40% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index and represents a broad measure of the U.S. stock and bond markets, including market sectors in which the fund may invest. The Lipper Balanced Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex The 60% S&P 500/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a composite blend of 60% of the S&P 500 Index and 40% of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index and represents a broad measure of the U.S. stock and bond markets, including market sectors in which the fund may invest. The Lipper Balanced Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress americanfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar year total returns for Class A shares (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block] rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.


Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:


Highest 11.73% (quarter ended June 30, 2009)


Lowest -14.46% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)


The fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was 6.71%.
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel The fund's total return for the nine months ended
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2016
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 6.71%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 11.73%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (14.46%)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2015 (with maximum sales charge):
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.38%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.57%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.31%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.31%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 26, 1975
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.55%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.25%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.51%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 26, 1975
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | 60% S&P 500/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 60% S&P 500/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.28%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.95%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.48%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 26, 1975
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Lipper Balanced Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Balanced Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.42%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.98%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.43%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.79%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 26, 1975
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class A  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.24%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.11%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 631
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 750
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 880
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,259
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.80%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.60%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (25.73%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 21.08%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 13.02%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 3.82%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.19%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 21.73%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 8.85%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 1.72%
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.13%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.54%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.20%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.53%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 26, 1975
Thirty Day Yield Caption rr_ThirtyDayYieldCaption Class A annualized 30-day yield at June 30, 2016:
Thirty Day Yield Phone rr_ThirtyDayYieldPhone (800) 325-3590
Thirty Day Yield rr_ThirtyDayYield 1.55%
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.36%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.65%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.37%
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.33%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.72%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.89%
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class 529-A  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.23%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.68%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 640
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 780
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 932
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,373
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.22%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.45%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.11%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.32%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class B  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 5.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.33%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 635
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 821
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 929
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,395
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 135
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 421
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 729
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,395
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel B Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.86%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.73%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.19%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.40%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2000
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class 529-B  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 5.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 649
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 862
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 997
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,534
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 149
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 462
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 797
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,534
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-B Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.96%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.61%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.07%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.27%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class C  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 240
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 437
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 755
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,657
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 140
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 437
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 755
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,657
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.03%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.97%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.98%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.27%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class 529-C  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 248
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 459
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 792
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,735
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 148
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 459
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 792
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,735
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.08%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.90%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.91%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.03%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class 529-E  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.19%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.92%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 94
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 293
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 509
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,131
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.38%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.47%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.46%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.28%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 05, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class F-1  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.65%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 66
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 208
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 362
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 810
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.67%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.80%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.81%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.84%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class F-2  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.39%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 40
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 125
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 219
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 493
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.92%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.07%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.16%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 05, 2008
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class F-3  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06% [2]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.29%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 30
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 93
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 163
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 368
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class 529-F-1  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 47
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 579
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.82%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.98%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.98%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.95%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 17, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-1  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 140
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 437
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 755
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,657
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.88%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.98%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.00%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.97%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 29, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-2  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.39%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 142
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 440
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 761
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,669
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.97%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.01%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.00%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.97%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 21, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-2E  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.14%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 116
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 362
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 628
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,386
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.60%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.82%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2014
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-3  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.94%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 96
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 520
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,155
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-3 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.34%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.47%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.48%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.59%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 04, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-4  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.63%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 64
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 351
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 786
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-4 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.67%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.80%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.80%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.13%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 21, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-5  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.11%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 35
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 109
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 191
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 431
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-5 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.98%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.12%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.11%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.02%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2002
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-5E  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30% [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 54
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 170
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 296
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 665
AMERICAN BALANCED FUND® | Class R-6  
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) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption or exchange fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.23%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.06%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.29%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 30
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 93
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 163
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 368
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-6 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.02%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.18%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.84%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
[1] A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
[2] Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
[3] Restated to reflect current fees.