Label	Element	Value
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	VANGUARD WORLD FUND
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Dec. 22, 2023
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:13pt;font-weight:bold;">Vanguard Health Care ETF</span>
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Investment Objective</span>
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of health care stocks.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Fees and Expenses</span>
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell ETF Shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8.5pt;font-weight:bold;">Shareholder Fees</span> <br/><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8.5pt;margin-left:0%;">(Fees paid directly from your investment)</span>
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8.5pt;font-weight:bold;">Annual Fund Operating Expenses</span> <br/><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8.5pt;margin-left:0%;">(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">Portfolio Turnover</span>
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 4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	4.00%
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">Example</span>
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund’s ETF Shares with the cost of investing in other 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 sell your shares at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example Closing [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleClosingTextBlock	This example does not include the brokerage commissions that you may pay to buy and sell ETF Shares of the Fund.
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal Investment Strategies</span>
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)/Health Care 25/50, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the health care sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). The GICS health care sector includes health care provider and services companies, companies that manufacture and distribute health care equipment and supplies, and health care technology companies. It also includes companies involved in the research, development, production, and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.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	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal Risks</span>
Risk [Text Block]	rr_RiskTextBlock	• 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 health care sector, the Fund’s performance largely depends—for better or for worse—on the general condition of that sector. Companies in the health care sector could be affected by, among other things, patent protection, government regulation, research and development costs, litigation, and competitive forces. Sector 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.• Index replicating risk, which is the chance that the Fund may be prevented from holding one or more securities in the same proportion as in its target index.Because ETF Shares are traded on an exchange, they are subject to additional risks:• The Fund’s ETF Shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca and are bought and sold on the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of an ETF Share typically will approximate its net asset value (NAV), there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ significantly. Thus, you may pay more or less than NAV when you buy ETF Shares on the secondary market, and you may receive more or less than NAV when you sell those shares.• Although the Fund’s ETF Shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, it is possible that an active trading market may not be maintained.• Trading of the Fund’s ETF Shares may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of the Fund’s ETF Shares may also be halted if (1) the shares are delisted from NYSE Arca without first being listed on another exchange or (2) NYSE Arca officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or for the protection of investors.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Annual Total Returns</span>
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 ETF Shares (based on NAV) has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the ETF Shares compare with those of the Fund‘s target index and another comparative index, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. 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	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">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 ETF Shares (based on NAV) has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the ETF Shares compare with those of the Fund‘s target index and another comparative index, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund.</span>
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">800-662-7447</span>
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;font-style:italic;">vanguard.com/performance</span>
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;"> Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.</span>
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Annual Total Returns — Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:5pt;font-weight:bold;position:relative;top:-3.25pt;">1</span>
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest and lowest returns for a calendar quarter were:
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8.5pt;font-weight:bold;">Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022</span>
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">When after-tax returns are calculated, it is </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">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. </span>
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">Please note that after-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. </span>
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher	rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">Also, figures captioned </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;font-style:italic;">Return After Taxes </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;font-style:italic;">on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;"> 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.</span>
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock	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.
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Risk Lose Money [Member]
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk [Text Block]	rr_RiskTextBlock	An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time.
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Member]
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk [Text Block]	rr_RiskTextBlock	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.
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Nondiversification Risk [Member]
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk [Text Block]	rr_RiskTextBlock	• 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.
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | ETF Shares
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
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
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	42.67%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	25.38%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	7.22%
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	(3.33%)
2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	23.34%
2018	rr_AnnualReturn2018	5.55%
2019	rr_AnnualReturn2019	21.97%
2020	rr_AnnualReturn2020	18.21%
2021	rr_AnnualReturn2021	20.50%
Annual Return 2022	rr_AnnualReturn2022	(5.52%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	year-to-date return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2023
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	(4.32%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">Highest</span>
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	16.48%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	<span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">Lowest</span>
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Mar. 31, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(13.15%)
Transaction Fee on Purchases and Sales	world_TransactionFeeOnPurchasesandSales	none	[1]
Transaction Fee on Reinvested Dividends	world_TransactionFeeOnReinvestedDividends	none	[1]
Transaction Fee on Conversion to ETF Shares	world_TransactionFeeOnConversionToETFShares	none	[1]
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | ETF Shares
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.82%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	11.23%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.40%
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | ETF Shares
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.06%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	9.21%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	12.42%
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Based on NAV | ETF Shares
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.52%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	11.62%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.76%
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | Based on Market Price | ETF Shares
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.55%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	11.61%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.76%
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | MSCI US Investable Market 2500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(19.24%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.89%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	12.21%
ETF | Vanguard Health Care Index Fund | MSCI US IMI/Health Care 25/50 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.43%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	11.70%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	14.84%

[1] None through Vanguard (Broker fees vary)