Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	VANGUARD WORLD FUND
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Dec. 20, 2019
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of financial stocks.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Admiral Shares of the Fund.
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 more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 5% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	5.00%
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Admiral Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you were to invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. This example assumes that the shares provide a return of 5% each year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. You would incur these hypothetical expenses whether or not you were to redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index (IMI)/Financials 25/50, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the financials sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). The GICS financials sector is made up of companies involved in banking, thrifts and mortgage finance, consumer finance, specialized finance, asset managment and custody banks, investment banking and brokerage, and insurance. It also includes Financial Exchanges and Data and Mortgage REITS. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by seeking to invest all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, in order to hold each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's performance: • Stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. The Fund's target index tracks a subset of the U.S. stock market, which could cause the Fund to perform differently from the overall stock market. • Sector risk, which is the chance that significant problems will affect a particular sector, or that returns from that sector will trail returns from the overall stock market. Daily fluctuations in specific market sectors are often more extreme or volatile than fluctuations in the overall market. Because the Fund seeks to invest all, or substantially all, of its assets in the financials sector, the Fund's performance largely depends—for better or for worse—on the general condition of that sector. Companies in the financials sector could be affected by, among other things, government regulation, interest rates, cost of capital funds, credit losses, and financial markets. Sector risk is expected to be high for the Fund. • Nondiversification risk, which is the chance that the Fund's performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of relatively few stocks or even a single stock. The Fund is considered nondiversified, which means that it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a small number of issuers as compared with diversified mutual funds. Because the Fund tends to invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in its ten largest holdings, fluctuations in the market value of a single Fund holding could cause significant changes to the Fund's share price. Nondiversification risk is expected to be high for the Fund. • Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from the types of stocks in which the Fund invests will trail returns from the overall stock market. Small-, mid-, and large-cap stocks each tend to go through cycles of doing better—or worse—than other segments of the stock market or the stock market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than large-cap stocks. The stock prices of small and mid-size companies tend to experience greater volatility because, among other things, these companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic conditions. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	• Nondiversification risk, which is the chance that the Fund's performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of relatively few stocks or even a single stock. The Fund is considered nondiversified, which means that it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a small number of issuers as compared with diversified mutual funds. Because the Fund tends to invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in its ten largest holdings, fluctuations in the market value of a single Fund holding could cause significant changes to the Fund's share price. Nondiversification risk is expected to be high for the Fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Annual Total Returns
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Admiral Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Admiral Shares compare with those of the Fund's target index and other comparative indexes, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Spliced US IMI/Financials 25/50 reflects the performance of the MSCI US IMI/Financials through February 26, 2010, and the MSCI US IMI/Financials 25/50 thereafter. Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Admiral Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Admiral Shares compare with those of the Fund's target index and other comparative indexes, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	800-662-7447
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	vanguard.com/performance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Annual Total Returns — Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 28.92% (quarter ended June 30, 2009), and the lowest return for a quarter was –26.94% (quarter ended March 31, 2009).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2018
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Please note that after-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher	rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher	Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.
Performance Table Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown in the preceding table. When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations. Please note that after-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | Admiral Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Purchase Fee	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Account Service Fee (for certain fund account balances below $10,000)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	$ 20	[1]
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.09%
12b-1 Distribution Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.10%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 10
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	32
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	56
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	128
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	10
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	32
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	56
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 128
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	14.76%	[2]
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	14.79%	[2]
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(14.39%)	[2]
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	26.34%	[2]
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	32.96%	[2]
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	13.95%	[2]
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(0.44%)	[2]
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	24.68%	[2]
2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	20.06%	[2]
2018	rr_AnnualReturn2018	(13.46%)	[2]
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	year-to-date return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2019
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	19.96%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	28.92%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Mar. 31, 2009
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(26.94%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.46%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.00%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.78%
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Admiral Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.88%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.44%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.25%
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Admiral Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.61%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.19%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	8.79%
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | MSCI US IMI/Financials
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.39%)	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.10%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.84%	[3]
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | MSCI US IMI/Financials 25/50
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.39%)	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.10%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10		[3]
Retail | Vanguard Financials Index Fund | Spliced US IMI/Financials 25/50
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.39%)	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.10%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.84%	[3]

[1] /year

[2] The year-to-date return as of the most recent calendar quarter, which ended on September 30, 2019, was 19.96%.

[3] Comparative Indexes (reflect no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)