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AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST®  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST®
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objectives
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The fund’s primary investment objective is to provide you with a high level of current income.
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock

Its secondary investment objective is capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses of the fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 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 30 of the prospectus and on page 75 of the fund’s statement of additional information.
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 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 76% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 76.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in American Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 100,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] 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 [Text] 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 [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The fund invests primarily in higher yielding and generally lower quality debt securities (rated Ba1 or below or BB+ or below by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations or unrated but determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality), including corporate loan obligations. Such securities are sometimes referred to as “junk bonds.” The fund may also invest a portion of its assets in securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States.


The fund may also invest in certain derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and swaps. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which is based on the value of an underlying financial asset (such as a stock, bond or currency), a reference rate or a market index. The fund may invest in a derivative only if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, the expected risks and rewards of the proposed investment are consistent with the investment objectives and strategies of the fund as disclosed in this prospectus and in the fund’s statement of additional information.


The fund is designed for investors seeking a high level of current income and who are able to tolerate greater credit risk and price fluctuations than those that exist in funds investing in higher quality debt securities.


The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers 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 priced securities 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 [Text Block] 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.


Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.


Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.


Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.


Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the debt securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to mitigate various credit and default risks.


Investing in lower rated debt instruments — Lower rated bonds and other lower rated debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and involve greater risk of default or price declines due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than those of higher quality debt securities. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than the prices of higher quality debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. These risks may be increased with respect to investments in junk bonds.


Liquidity risk — Certain fund holdings may be deemed to be less liquid or illiquid because they cannot be readily sold without significantly impacting the value of the holdings. Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market for a holding, legal or contractual restrictions on resale or the reduced number and capacity of market participants to make a market in such holding. Market prices for less liquid or illiquid holdings may be volatile, and reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on the market price of such holdings. Additionally, the sale of less liquid or illiquid holdings may involve substantial delays (including delays in settlement) and additional costs and the fund may be unable to sell such holdings when necessary to meet its liquidity needs.


Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and may be difficult to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. A description of the derivative instruments in which the fund may invest and the various risks associated with those derivatives is included in the fund’s statement of additional information under “Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks.”


Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. 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. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, that could adversely impact the value of these securities. 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 accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.


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 [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney You may lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] 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 [Text Block] 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 a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Lipper High Yield Funds Average includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. 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 [Text] 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 a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex The Lipper High Yield Funds Average includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress americanfunds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] 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 [Text Block] 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 a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results.


Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:


Highest 20.08% (quarter ended June 30, 2009)


Lowest -19.08% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)


The fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was 13.75%.
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, 2016
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 13.75%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Highest
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.08%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (19.08%)
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-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

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-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2015 (with maximum sales charge):
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.43%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.03%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.95%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 1988
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Lipper High Yield Funds Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Lipper High Yield Funds Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.09%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.08%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.58%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.89%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 1988
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 3.75%
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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.24%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.71%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 445
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 594
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 755
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,224
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 12.19%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 1.53%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (27.52%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 48.42%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.98%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 1.99%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.52%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 6.44%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 0.52%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (7.42%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.90%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.18%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.61%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.49%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 1988
Thirty Day Yield Caption rr_ThirtyDayYieldCaption Class A annualized 30-day yield at September 30, 2016:
Thirty Day Yield Phone rr_ThirtyDayYieldPhone (800) 325-3590
Thirty Day Yield rr_ThirtyDayYield 5.20%
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (13.25%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.46%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.78%
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel A After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (6.04%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.67%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.44%
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class 529-A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 3.75%
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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.23%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.81%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 455
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 624
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 808
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,339
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-A Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.99%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.08%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.53%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.03%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.99%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.48%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 651
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 868
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,008
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,560
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 151
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 468
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 808
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,560
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel B Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.46%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.88%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.37%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.29%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2000
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.98%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.35%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.62%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 665
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 911
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,081
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,705
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 165
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 511
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 881
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,705
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-B Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.59%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.75%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.26%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.90%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 25, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.51%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 254
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 477
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 824
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,802
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 154
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 477
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 824
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,802
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.03%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.14%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.17%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.37%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.98%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.57%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 260
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
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 160
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 496
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 855
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,867
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-C Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.09%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.07%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.10%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.47%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 19, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.49%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 318
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,225
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.70%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.63%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.66%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.88%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 76
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 237
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 411
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 918
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.45%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.92%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.97%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.91%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 15, 2001
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.29%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.58%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 59
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 186
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 324
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 726
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel 529-F-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.30%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.09%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.15%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.44%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 16, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.19%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.48%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 49
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 154
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 269
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 604
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel F-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.22%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.18%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.59%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 04, 2008
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.50%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 153
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 474
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 818
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,791
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-1 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.15%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.14%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.15%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.43%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 11, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.74%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.44% [2]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.47%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 150
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 465
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 803
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,757
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.18%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.12%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.16%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.89%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 18, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [2]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.02%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 104
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 325
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 563
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,248
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-3 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.73%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.61%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.64%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.47%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 21, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.19%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.73%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 75
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 233
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 406
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 906
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-4 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.43%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.93%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.97%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.27%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jul. 19, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.42%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 43
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 135
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 235
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 530
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-5 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.16%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.23%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.28%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.66%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 15, 2002
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | 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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.07%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.36%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 37
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 116
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 456
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-6 Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.11%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.29%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.21%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 01, 2009
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class R-2E  
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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.27%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.16%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 118
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 368
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 638
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,409
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel R-2E Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (7.37%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (8.32%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2014
AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST® | Class R-5E  
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_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 60
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 189
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 329
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 738
[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. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.
[2] Restated to reflect current fees.