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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
ProspectusDate rr_ProspectusDate Dec. 01, 2011
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC (Prospectus Summary) | NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return, Heading rr_RiskReturnHeading New Perspective Fund®
Investment Objective, Heading rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objectives
investment Objective, Primary rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock 
The fund's primary investment objective is to provide you with long-term growth
of capital.
Investment Objective, Secondary rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock 
Future income is a secondary objective.
Expense, Heading rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses of the fund
Expense, Narrative 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 59 of the fund's statement of
additional information.
Shareholder Fees, Caption rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses, Caption 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 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 most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio
turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 24.00%
Expense Breakpoint, Discounts 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 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 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 rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
Investment Strategy, Heading rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Investment Strategy, Narrative rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock 
The fund seeks to take advantage of investment opportunities generated by
changes in international trade patterns and economic and political relationships
by investing in common stocks of companies located around the world.

In pursuing its primary investment objective, the fund invests primarily in
common stocks that the investment adviser believes have the potential for
growth. In pursuing its secondary objective, the fund invests in common stocks
of companies with the potential to pay dividends in the future.

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in
managing the fund's assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is
divided into segments managed by individual counselors 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
companies 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 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.
Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to
tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

Market conditions -- The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities
held by the fund may decline due to market conditions and other factors,
including those directly involving the issuers of securities held by the fund.

Investing in growth-oriented stocks -- Growth-oriented stocks may involve larger
price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments.

Investing outside the United States -- Securities of issuers domiciled outside
the United States, or with significant operations outside the United States, may
lose value because of political, social, economic or market developments in the
countries or regions in which the issuer operates. 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. 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
settlement and accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and
reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the
United States. The risks of investing outside the United States may be
heightened in connection with investments in emerging market countries.

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 rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk, Not Insured Depository Institution 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 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 different broad measures of market
results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund. The fund has selected the MSCI All Country World Index to replace the
MSCI World Index as its broad based securities market index. The fund's
investment adviser believes that the MSCI All Country World Index better
reflects the market sectors and securities in which the fund primarily invests
than the MSCI World Index. Lipper Global Funds Index includes the fund and other
funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably
comparable to the fund's objective and/or strategies. The MSCI USA Index is a
measure of the U.S. portion of the world market. It is included to compare the
fund's results to U.S. market results. 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 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 different broad measures of market results.
Performance, Additional Market Index rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex Lipper Global Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to the fund's objective and/or strategies. The MSCI USA Index is a measure of the U.S. portion of the world market. It is included to compare the fund's results to U.S. market results.
Performance, Availability Website Address rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress americanfunds.com
Performance, Past Does Not Indicate Future 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 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 different broad measures of market
results.
Bar Chart, Does Not Reflect Sales Loads rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads (Results do not include a sales charge ; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart, Closing rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock 
Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:

Highest  19.99% (quarter ended June 30, 2003)

Lowest -19.78% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)

The fund's total return for the nine months ended Septermber 30, 2011, was -13.07%.
Performance Table, Market Index Changed rr_PerformanceTableMarketIndexChanged The fund has selected the MSCI All Country World Index to replace the MSCI World Index as its broad based securities market index. The fund's investment adviser believes that the MSCI All Country World Index better reflects the market sectors and securities in which the fund primarily invests than the MSCI World Index.
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-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table, One Class of after Tax Shown rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Performance Table, Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock 
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-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k)
plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Average Annual Returns, Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2010 (with maximum sales charge):
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC (Prospectus Summary) | NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
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, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (13.07%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.99%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (19.78%)
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | MSCI® All Country World Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI® All Country World Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.21%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.98%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.69%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | MSCI World Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI World Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.34%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.99%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.82%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.29%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | MSCI USA Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI USA Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.45%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.44%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.49%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.74%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | Lipper Global Funds Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper Global Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.39%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.47%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.22%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.23%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 649
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 807
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 978
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,474
Annual Return 2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (8.30%)
Annual Return 2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (16.05%)
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 36.76%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 14.27%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 11.28%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.87%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 16.03%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (37.83%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 37.43%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 12.76%
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class A - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.29%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.78%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.39%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.49%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A - After taxes on distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.27%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.06%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.83%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A - After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.44%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.15%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.68%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 13, 1973
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.54%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 657
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 886
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,039
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,627
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 157
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 486
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 839
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 1,627
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class B - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.88%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.89%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.37%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.01%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2000
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.19%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.58%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 261
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 499
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 860
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,878
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 161
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 499
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 860
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 1,878
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class C - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.85%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.18%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.94%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 83
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 259
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 450
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,002
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class F-1 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.72%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.02%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.79%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 56
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 176
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 307
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 689
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class F-2 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.01%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.37%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 01, 2008
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only) rr_MaximumAccountFee 10
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.21%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 677
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 870
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,078
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,668
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class 529-A - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.20%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.71%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.43%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only) rr_MaximumAccountFee 10
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.65%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 688
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 959
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,154
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,842
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 188
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 559
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 954
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 1,842
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class 529-B - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.78%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.78%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.33%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only) rr_MaximumAccountFee 10
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.64%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 287
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 556
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 949
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,043
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 187
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 556
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 949
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,043
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class 529-C - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.80%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.12%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.26%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 15, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only) rr_MaximumAccountFee 10
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.13%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 135
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 398
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 680
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,477
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class 529-E - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.34%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.65%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.60%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 01, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only) rr_MaximumAccountFee 10
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.64%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 85
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 244
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 416
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 904
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class 529-F-1 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.91%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.18%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.21%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 17, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.57%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 160
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 496
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 855
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,867
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-1 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.88%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.19%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.87%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 17, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.57%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 160
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 496
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 855
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,867
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-2 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.84%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.15%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.07%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 21, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.11%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 113
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 353
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 612
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,352
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-3 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.35%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.67%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.97%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 04, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 83
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 259
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 450
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,002
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-4 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.73%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.00%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.99%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 28, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.12%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.51%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 52
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 164
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 285
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 640
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-5 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.03%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.31%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.24%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2002
NEW PERSPECTIVE FUND INC | 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_RedemptionFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.39%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.07%
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
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Share class R-6 - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.11%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 28.84%
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.