Label	Element	Value
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	The Prudential Series Fund
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	May 01, 2023
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	<span style="color:#545454;font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;">SUMMARY: PSF MID-CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO</span>
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase;">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE</span>
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The investment objective of the Portfolio is long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase;">PORTFOLIO FEES AND EXPENSES</span>
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	The table below shows the fees and expenses that you may pay if you invest in shares of the Portfolio. The table does not include Contract charges. Because Contract charges are not included, the total fees and expenses that you will incur will be higher than the fees and expenses set forth in the table. See your Contract prospectus for more information about Contract charges.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	<span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your </span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">investment)</span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:5pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;position:relative;top:-3.25pt;">(1)</span>
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7.76pt;">June 30, 2024</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Portfolio Turnover. </span>
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the example, affect the Portfolio's performance. During the Portfolio's most recent fiscal year ended December 31, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 43% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	43.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7.76pt;"> Differences in the Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses shown in the table above and in the Portfolio’s Financial Highlights are attributable to changes in management fees, fee waivers and/or expense limitations implemented during the most recent fiscal year.</span>
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Example. </span>
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The table does not include Contract charges. Because Contract charges are not included, the total fees and expenses that you will incur will be higher than the fees and expenses set forth in the example. See your Contract prospectus for more information about Contract charges.The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio 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 Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase;">INVESTMENTS, RISKS AND PERFORMANCE</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal Investment Strategies. </span>
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	In pursuing its investment objective, the Portfolio normally invests at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus any borrowings made for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium-sized US companies, including common stocks and debt securities and preferred stocks that are convertible to common stocks. The Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks of medium-sized US companies which the subadviser, J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc., believes are capable of achieving sustained growth. Medium-sized US companies are companies with market capitalizations similar to those within the universe of the Russell® Midcap Growth Index (measured at the time of purchase).The Portfolio may invest in derivatives as substitutes for securities in which the Portfolio can invest. To the extent the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will primarily use futures contracts to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash positions. In managing the Portfolio, the subadviser employs a process that combines research, valuation and stock selection to identify companies that have a history of above-average growth or which the adviser believes will achieve above-average growth in the future. Growth companies purchased for the Portfolio include those with leading competitive positions that can achieve sustainable growth.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio.</span>
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	The risks summarized below are the principal risks of investing in the Portfolio. The relative significance of the risks summarized below may change over time. All investments have risks to some degree, and it is possible that you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. While the Portfolio makes every effort to achieve its objective, the Portfolio cannot guarantee success.Equity Securities Risk. The value of a particular stock or equity-related security held by the Portfolio could fluctuate, perhaps greatly, in response to a number of factors, such as changes in the issuer’s financial condition or the value of the equity markets or a sector of those markets. Such events may result in losses to the Portfolio. In addition, due to decreases in liquidity, the Portfolio may be unable to sell its securities holdings within a reasonable time at the price it values the security or at any price.Mid-Sized Company Risk. The shares of mid-sized companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing and volatility of these securities and on the Portfolio’s ability to sell the securities.Investment Style Risk. Securities held by the Portfolio as a result of a particular investment style, such as growth or value, tend to perform differently (i.e., better or worse than other segments of, or the overall, stock market) depending on market and economic conditions and investor sentiment. At times when the investment style is out of favor, the Portfolio may underperform other funds that invest in similar asset classes but use different investment styles.Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which depends upon, or is derived from, the value of one or more underlying investments, such as an asset, reference rate, or index. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves a variety of risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, including the risk that: the party on the other side of a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation; leverage created by investing in derivatives may result in losses to the Portfolio; derivatives may be difficult or impossible for the Portfolio to buy or sell at an opportune time or price, and may be difficult to terminate or otherwise offset; derivatives used for hedging may reduce or magnify losses but also may reduce or eliminate gains; and the price of commodity-linked derivatives may be more volatile than the prices of traditional equity and debt securities. The Portfolio is subject to a derivatives risk management program, which may limit the ability of the Portfolio to invest in derivatives.Economic and Market Events Risk. Events in the US and global financial markets, including actions taken by the US Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times result in periods of unusually high volatility in a market or a segment of a market, which could negatively impact performance. Reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide. In addition, it remains uncertain that governmental entities will intervene in response to market disturbances, and the effect of any such future intervention cannot be predicted.Expense Risk. The actual cost of investing in the Portfolio may be higher than the expenses shown in the “Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses” table above for a variety of reasons, including, for example, if the Portfolio’s average net assets decrease.Leverage Risk. Using leverage, the investment of borrowed cash, may amplify the Portfolio’s gains and losses and cause the Portfolio to be more volatile and riskier than if it had not been leveraged.Liquidity and Valuation Risk. The Portfolio may hold one or more securities for which there are no or few buyers and sellers or the securities are subject to limitations on transfer. The Portfolio may be unable to sell those portfolio holdings at the desired time or price, and may have difficulty determining the value of such securities for the purpose of determining the Portfolio’s net asset value. In such cases, investments owned by the Portfolio may be valued at fair value pursuant to policies and procedures adopted and implemented by the Manager. No assurance can be given that the fair value prices accurately reflect the value of the security. The Portfolio is subject to a liquidity risk management program, which limits the ability of the Portfolio to invest in illiquid investments.Market and Management Risk. Markets in which the Portfolio invests may experience volatility and go down in value, and possibly sharply and unpredictably in short periods of time. Investment techniques, risk analyses, and investment strategies, which may include quantitative models or methods, used by a subadviser in making investment decisions for the Portfolio are subject to human error and may not produce the intended or desired results. The value of the Portfolio’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of domestic or global events, including war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters, or events, political or civil instability, and public health emergencies, among others. Such events may reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and significantly adversely impact the economy. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the Portfolio will be achieved.Regulatory Risk. The Portfolio is subject to a variety of laws and regulations which govern its operations. The Portfolio is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), and depending on the Portfolio, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). Similarly, the businesses and other issuers of the securities and other instruments in which the Portfolio invests are also subject to considerable regulation. Changes in laws and regulations may materially impact the Portfolio, a security, business, sector, or market.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The relative significance of the risks summarized below may change over time. All investments have risks to </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">some degree, and it is possible that you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio.</span>
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"> An investment in the Portfolio is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.</span>
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Past Performance.</span>
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Past performance does not mean that the Portfolio will achieve similar results in the future.The annual returns and average annual returns shown in the chart and table are after deduction of expenses and do not include Contract charges. If Contract charges were included, the returns shown would have been lower than those shown. Consult your Contract prospectus for information about Contract charges.The table also demonstrates how the Portfolio's performance compares to the returns of the Russell Midcap Growth Index which includes stocks of companies with similar investment objectives. Annual return information in the bar chart is provided only for Class I shares. Because all of the Portfolio’s shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, annual returns for Class II and Class III shares would be lower because Class II and Class III shares do not have the same expenses as Class I shares.Note: The SP Prudential U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio changed its subadviser and changed its investment policies and strategy effective January 28, 2019. All annual returns shown below for the Portfolio reflect the investment performance, investment operations, investment policies, and investment strategies of the former subadviser, and do not represent the actual or predicted performance of the Portfolio or its current subadviser.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"> The bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.</span>
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The table also demonstrates how the Portfolio's performance compares to the returns of the Russell Midcap Growth Index which includes stocks of companies with similar investment objectives.</span>
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"> Past performance does not mean that the Portfolio will achieve similar results in the future.</span>
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Annual Total Returns (Class I Shares)
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]	rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The annual returns and average annual returns shown in the chart and table are after deduction of expenses and do not include Contract charges. If Contract charges were included, the returns shown would have been lower than those shown.</span>
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Best Quarter:Worst Quarter:32.28%2nd Quarter 2020-20.69%2nd Quarter 2022
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7.76pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:3pt;">Average Annual Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2022)</span>
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio | Class I
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.60%	[1]
+ Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 Fees)	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets		[1]
+ Administration Fees	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets		[1]
+ Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.06%	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.66%	[1]
- Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.65%	[1],[2]
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 66
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	210
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	367
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	822
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	66
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	210
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	367
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 822
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	28.47%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	9.51%
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	(2.36%)
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	4.32%
2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	22.43%
2018	rr_AnnualReturn2018	(7.84%)
2019	rr_AnnualReturn2019	37.71%
2020	rr_AnnualReturn2020	47.47%
2021	rr_AnnualReturn2021	10.69%
2022	rr_AnnualReturn2022	(26.96%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.00pt;">Best Quarter:</span>
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	32.28%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.00pt;">Worst Quarter:</span>
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2022
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(20.69%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(26.96%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.64%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.26%
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio | Class II
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.60%	[1]
+ Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 Fees)	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%	[1]
+ Administration Fees	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.15%	[1]
+ Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.06%	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.06%	[1]
- Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.05%	[1],[2]
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 107
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	336
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	584
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,293
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	107
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	336
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	584
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,293
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(27.24%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.21%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	9.81%
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio | Class III
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.60%	[1]
+ Distribution and/or Service Fees (12b-1 Fees)	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%	[1]
+ Administration Fees	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets		[1]
+ Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.06%	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.91%	[1]
- Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[1]
= Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.90%	[1],[2]
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 92
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	289
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	503
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,119
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	92
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	289
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	503
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,119
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(27.16%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(15.79%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 26, 2021
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio | S&P MidCap 400 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.06%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.71%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	10.78%
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(5.21%)	[3]
PSF Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio | Russell Midcap Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Risk Return Abstract	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(26.72%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	7.64%
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	11.41%
Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(13.42%)	[3]

[1] Differences in the Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses shown in the table above and in the Portfolio’s Financial Highlights are attributable to changes in management fees, fee waivers and/or expense limitations implemented during the most recent fiscal year.

[2] The Manager has contractually agreed to waive 0.013% of its management fee through June 30, 2024. This arrangement may not be terminated or modified without the prior approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

[3] Since Inception returns for the Indexes are measured from the month-end closest to the inception date.