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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Jul. 31, 2011
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName AMERICAN GROWTH FUND INC
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000005138
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Nov. 29, 2011
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Nov. 29, 2011
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Nov. 29, 2010
American Growth Fund Series One
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Risk Return Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objectives/Goals
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Fund´s primary objective is growth of capital.
Fee Table agfi5138_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fee Table
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 $50,000 in the American Growth Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in How to Reduce your Sales Charge, page 11 of the Fund´s prospectus and under Distribution of Fund Shares, Page 15 of the Fund´s statement of additional information.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts agfi5138_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract  
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 $50,000 in the American Growth Fund.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
SHAREHOLDER FEES: rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption SHAREHOLDER FEES: (fees paid directly from your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
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):
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock 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. Seven years after the date of purchase, Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Portfolio Turnover agfi5138_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
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 140% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 140.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Investment Research Corporation (the "Adviser") manages the Fund using a growth style of investing. We use a consistent approach to build the Fund´s security portfolio which is made up primarily of common stocks and securities convertible into common stock. These securities are issued by large companies, and to a lesser extent, small and mid-sized companies. When a company´s fundamentals are strong, we believe earnings growth will follow.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration We use a consistent approach to build the Fund´s security portfolio which is made up primarily of common stocks and securities convertible into common stock. These securities are issued by large companies, and to a lesser extent, small and mid-sized companies.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks of investing in the Fund
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The primary risks of investing in the Fund are:

~ Stock Market Risk - the value of an investment may fluctuate,

~ Industry and Security Risk - risks relating to an industry as a whole or a company´s prospects for business success,

~ Management Risk - risks that the Adviser´s assessment of a company´s growth prospects may not be accurate,

~ Liquidity Risk - a given security or asset may not be readily marketable,

~ Small Cap Risk - small cap stocks tend to have a high exposure to market fluctuations and failure,

~ Mid Cap Risk - mid cap stocks tend to have a greater exposure to market fluctuations and failure.

Loss of some or all of the money you invest is a risk of investing in the Fund.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Loss of some or all of the money you invest is a risk of investing in the Fund.
Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table agfi5138_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart and table are intended to provide you with an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund´s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare to those of the Standard and Poors 500. Past performance, before and after taxes, is not predictive of future performance. Sales load and account fees are not reflected in the chart. If the sales load and account fees were included, the returns would be less than those that are shown. Updated performance information for the Fund is available at the Fund´s web site (www.americangrowthfund.com) or toll free telephone number (800) 525-2406.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table are intended to provide you with an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund´s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare to those of the Standard and Poors 500.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance, before and after taxes, is not predictive of future performance.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Sales load and account fees are not reflected in the chart. If the sales load and account fees were included, the returns would be less than those that are shown.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information for the Fund is available at the Fund´s web site (www.americangrowthfund.com) or toll free telephone number (800) 525-2406.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.americangrowthfund.com
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) 525-2406
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (32.85%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (36.90%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 42.92%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 (2.97%)
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 8.16%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 10.38%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (3.13%)
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (33.82%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 24.89%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 (3.20%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best calendar quarter 06/03 26.21%. Worst calendar quarter 09/01 -30.42%. Year to date performance for the period ended 9/30/2011 was -16.54%.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 26.21%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2001
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (30.42%)
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year to date performance
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (16.54%)
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption For the periods ended December 31, 2010
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

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, and after-tax returns shown 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 for only Class D and after-tax returns for other Classes will vary.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate 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;
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor´s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts;
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown for only Class D and after-tax returns for other Classes will vary.
American Growth Fund Series One | Class A
  
SHAREHOLDER FEES: rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class A
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fee rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Maximum Account Fee rr_MaximumAccountFeeOverAssets none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class A
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.30%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.69%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.99%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class A
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 1,045
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,986
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,927
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,280
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class A
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 1,045
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,986
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,927
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 5,280
American Growth Fund Series One | Class B
  
SHAREHOLDER FEES: rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class B
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 5.00% [2]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fee rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Maximum Account Fee rr_MaximumAccountFeeOverAssets none
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for the 1st 2 years is 5%, 3rd & 4th years - 4%, 5th yr. - 3%, 6th yr. - 2%, 7th yr. - 1%.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class B
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.71%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 5.71%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class B
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 1,069
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 2,095
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 3,105
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,323
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class B
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 569
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,695
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,805
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 5,323
American Growth Fund Series One | Class C
  
SHAREHOLDER FEES: rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class C
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [3]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fee rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Maximum Account Fee rr_MaximumAccountFeeOverAssets none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class C
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.68%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 5.68%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class C
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 666
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,687
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,792
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,491
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class C
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 566
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,687
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,792
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 5,491
American Growth Fund Series One | Class D
  
SHAREHOLDER FEES: rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class D
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fee rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Maximum Account Fee rr_MaximumAccountFeeOverAssets none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class D
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.69%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.69%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class D
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 1,018
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,907
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,802
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,064
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class D
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 1,018
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,907
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,802
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 5,064
American Growth Fund Series One | Return before taxes | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class A
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return before taxes
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.69%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.44%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (6.20%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Return before taxes | Class B
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class B
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return before taxes
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.47%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.99%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (6.90%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Return before taxes | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class C
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return before taxes
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.10%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.07%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (6.92%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Return before taxes | Class D
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class D
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return before taxes
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.20%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.08%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (5.91%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Return after taxes on Distributions | Class D
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class D
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return after taxes on Distributions
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.20%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.08%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (5.95%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Return after taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class D
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class D
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return after taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.20%)
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.08%)
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (5.95%)
American Growth Fund Series One | Standard and Poors 500
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Standard and Poors 500
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.07%
Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.29%
Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.41%
[1] Purchases of Class A and Class D shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more which are not subject to an initial sales charge generally will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.0% of amounts redeemed within the first year of purchase.
[2] Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for the 1st 2 years is 5%, 3rd & 4th years - 4%, 5th yr. - 3%, 6th yr. - 2%, 7th yr. - 1%.
[3] For one year.