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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Feb. 28, 2011
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName SCHWAB INVESTMENTS
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000869365
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Jun. 24, 2011
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Jun. 28, 2011
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Jun. 28, 2011
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The fund seeks capital growth and income consistent with prudent investment management.
Fund fees and expenses si869365_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fund fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption fee (as a % of the amount sold or exchanged within 30 days of purchase) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 2.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.20%
Less expense reduction rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.15%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.05% [1]
Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
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 time periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The figures are based on total annual fund operating expenses after expense reduction. The expenses would be the same whether you stayed in the fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption Expenses on a $10,000 investment
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 107
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 334
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 579
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,283
Portfolio turnover si869365_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
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 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 the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 129% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 129.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of real estate companies and companies related to the real estate industry. The fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days notice before changing this policy. Real estate companies include U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from the ownership, construction, development, financing, management, servicing, sale or leasing of commercial, industrial or residential real estate or have 50% of their total assets in real estate. Companies related to the real estate industry include companies whose products and services pertain to the real estate industry, such as mortgage lenders and mortgage servicing companies. The fund does not invest directly in real estate.

The fund may invest a significant portion of its total assets in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other similar REIT-like structures. REITs are U.S. real estate companies that own and commonly operate income producing real estate, or that use their assets to finance real estate. REITs are not subject to U.S. corporate income tax provided they comply with a number of tax requirements, including the distribution to shareholders of at least 90% of their net income. A number of other countries have adopted REIT-like structures which are not subject to local corporate income tax provided they distribute a significant portion of their net income to shareholders and meet certain other requirements. The fund may also invest in real estate operating companies (REOCs). REOCs are real estate companies that engage in the development, management or financing of real estate. They typically provide services such as property management, property development, facilities management and real estate financing. REOCs are publicly traded corporations that have not elected to be taxed as REITs. The three primary reasons for such an election are (a) availability of tax-loss carry-forwards, (b) operation in non-REIT-qualifying lines of business, and (c) ability to retain earnings.

The fund invests primarily in equity securities, including common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights or warrants to purchase stocks, and exchange traded funds. The fund may also invest in debt securities, including high yield securities (junk bonds), issued by or guaranteed by real estate companies or companies related to the real estate industry, such as fixed, floating or variable rate corporate bonds, collateralized debt obligations, fixed-rate capital securities, mortgage pass through certificates, real estate mortgage investment conduit certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations.

The fund selects investments based on the investment adviser’s analysis of each issuer. In making this determination, the investment adviser may take into account a variety of factors that it determines to be relevant from time to time, such as the issuer’s financial condition, industry position, earnings estimates, management and local and global economic and market conditions. The investment adviser uses a proprietary database and investment model to help choose and allocate the fund’s investments.

The fund may invest in derivative securities, such as swaps, options, futures and options on futures, which are principally tied to the real estate industry, for hedging purposes. The derivative securities may relate to a specific investment, a group of investments, or the fund’s portfolio as a whole. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values depend upon or are derived from the values of underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. The fund may use investment techniques such as short sales and reverse repurchase agreements. Please see the “Principal risks” section for a description of these investments. The fund may lend its securities to certain financial institutions to earn additional income.

Under normal market conditions, the fund seeks to invest its assets across different countries and regions. The fund invests primarily in developed market countries, but may invest up to 15% of its total assets in emerging market countries. The fund considers “emerging markets” to include any country that is classified as an emerging or developing economy by The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations and its agencies. Currently, emerging markets include all African, Middle Eastern, South and Central American nations, as well as most Asian and Eastern European countries. In allocating the fund’s investments, the investment adviser considers the size and condition of the real estate market in each country and region and the global real estate market as a whole. Except as provided above, the fund is not required to invest or restricted from investing any minimum or maximum percentage of its assets in any one country or region.

The fund sells securities when the investment adviser believes it is appropriate to do so, regardless of how long the securities have been held. Such sales may cause the fund to experience high portfolio turnover and correspondingly increased transaction costs. The sales may also result in capital gain or loss, including short-term capital gain or loss. High portfolio turnover may adversely impact the fund’s performance. The fund may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments for temporary or defensive purposes. The fund may utilize such tactics when the investment adviser believes that market or economic interests are unfavorable for investors. Under such circumstances, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of real estate companies and companies related to the real estate industry.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The fund’s principal risks include:

Market Risk. Stock and bond markets and the values of securities held by the fund rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

Small- and Mid-Cap Risk. Even the larger REITS and other real estate companies, may be small- to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole. Historically, mid- and small-cap stocks have been riskier than large-cap stocks. Mid- and small-cap companies themselves may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. Stock prices of smaller companies may be based in substantial part on future expectations rather than current achievements and may move sharply, especially during market upturns and downturns. During a period when mid- and small-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments — bonds or large-cap stocks, for instance — the fund’s small- and mid-cap holdings could reduce performance.

Real Estate Investment Risk. The fund has a policy of concentrating its investments in real estate companies and companies related to the real estate industry. As such, the fund is subject to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate securities and an investment in the fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets. These risks include, among others, declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds or other limits to accessing the credit or capital markets; defaults by borrowers or tenants, particularly during an economic downturn; and changes in interest rates.

REITs Risk. In addition to the risks associated with investing in securities of real estate companies and real estate related companies, REITs are subject to certain additional risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the trusts, and mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills and may have their investments in relatively few properties, or in a small geographic area or a single property type. Failure of a company to qualify as a REIT under federal tax law may have adverse consequences to the fund. In addition, REITs have their own expenses, and the fund will bear a proportionate share of those expenses.

Debt Securities Risk. Interest rates rise and fall over time, which will affect the fund’s yield and share price. The credit quality of a portfolio investment could also cause the fund’s share price to fall. The fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a portfolio investment or the counterparty to a derivatives contract fails to make timely principal or interest payments or otherwise honor its obligations. Debt securities may be paid off earlier or later than expected. Either situation could cause the fund to hold securities paying lower than market rates of interest, which could hurt the fund’s yield or share price. Below investment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve greater credit risk, are more volatile, involve greater risk of price declines and may be more susceptible to economic downturns than investment-grade securities.

Foreign Investment and Emerging Markets Risks. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions, or changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges); differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices; differing securities market structures; and higher transaction costs. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

Convertible Securities Risk. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline, and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature.

Derivatives Risk. The fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and could cause the fund to lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, investments in derivatives may involve leverage, which means a small percentage of assets invested in derivatives can have a disproportionately larger impact on the fund. However, these risks are less severe when the fund uses derivatives for hedging rather than to enhance the fund’s returns or as a substitute for a position or security.

Leverage Risk. Certain fund transactions, such as derivatives, short sales and reverse repurchase agreements, may give rise to a form of leverage and may expose the fund to greater risk. Leverage tends to magnify the effect of any decrease or increase in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. The use of leverage may cause the fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.

Short Sales Risk. The fund will incur a loss if the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Management Risk. As an actively managed mutual fund, the fund is subject to the risk that its investment adviser will make poor security selections. The fund’s investment adviser applies its own investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no guarantee that they will produce the desired results.

Investments in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). When the fund invests in an ETF, it will bear a proportionate share of the ETF’s expenses. In addition, lack of liquidity in an ETF can result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio securities.

Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent.

Liquidity Risk. A particular investment may be difficult to purchase or sell. The fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price.

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 government agency.

For more information on the risks of investing in the fund, please see the “Fund details” section in the prospectus.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney The fund is subject to risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money.
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 government agency.
Performance si869365_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart below 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 compared to that of an index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All figures assume distributions were reinvested. Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance. For current performance information, please see www.schwabfunds.com/prospectus. On September 28, 2009, the Investor Share class and Select Share class were combined into a single class of shares of the fund, and the fund no longer offers multiple classes of shares. The performance history of the fund is that of the fund’s former Select Shares. Accordingly, the past performance information of the fund’s former Select Shares is shown below.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart below 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 compared to that of an index.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Keep in mind that future performance (both before and after taxes) may differ from past performance.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock For current performance information, please see www.schwabfunds.com/prospectus.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.schwabfunds.com/prospectus
Annual total returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns (%) as of 12/31
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 19.42%
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 40.55%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (45.43%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best quarter: 36.54% Q2 2009

Worst quarter: (31.24%) Q4 2008

Year-to-date performance (before taxes) as of 3/31/11: 2.28%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 36.54%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (31.24%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date performance (before taxes) as of
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Mar. 31, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 2.28%
Average annual total returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns (%) as of 12/31/10
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation. 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, IRA or other tax-advantaged account.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate The after-tax figures reflect the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during the period 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. 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, IRA or other tax-advantaged account.
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund | Before taxes
  
Average annual total returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.42%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (6.69%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 31, 2007
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund | After taxes on distributions
  
Average annual total returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel After taxes on distributions
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.42%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (8.18%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 31, 2007
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund | After taxes on distributions and sale of shares
  
Average annual total returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel After taxes on distributions and sale of shares
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.67%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (6.40%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 31, 2007
Schwab Global Real Estate Fund | FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Index
  
Average annual total returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Column rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Comparative Index
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deductions for expenses or taxes)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Index
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.03%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (6.93%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 31, 2007
[1] The investment adviser and its affiliates have agreed to limit the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) of the fund to 1.05% for so long as the investment adviser serves as the adviser to the fund. This agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees.