Fees and Expenses	Mar. 01, 2026 USD ($)
California Municipal Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 52.2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	52.20%
Core Fixed Income Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 13.4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	13.40%
Core Plus Bond Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 165.0% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	165.00%
Diversified Income Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 92.9% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	92.90%
Diversified International Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 38.2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	38.20%
Equity Income Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16.7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	16.70%
Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 125.7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	125.70%
Global Emerging Markets Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	32.30%
Global Real Estate Securities Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 22.1% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	22.10%
Government & High Quality Bond Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 268.0% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	268.00%
Government Money Market Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
High Yield Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	40.30%
Inflation Protection Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 155.4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	155.40%
International Bond Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	Based on estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. This Fund is new and does not have a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.
International Equity Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 96.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	96.30%
LargeCap Growth Fund I
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 34.7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	34.70%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 4.2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	4.20%
LargeCap Value Fund III
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 60.5% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	60.50%
MidCap Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]	With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 13.7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	13.70%
MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16.2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	16.20%
MidCap Value Fund I
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 79.6% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	79.60%
Money Market Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Classes A and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Overseas Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 77.5% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	77.50%
Principal Capital Appreciation Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 55.8% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	55.80%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24.4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	24.40%
Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	27.30%
Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25.6% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	25.60%
Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30.0% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	30.00%
Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 100,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32.1% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	32.10%
Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 37.2% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	37.20%
Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 38.9% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	38.90%
Principal LifeTime 2045 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 44.6% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	44.60%
Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	$ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 44.7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	44.70%
Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 48.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	48.30%
Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]	With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 47.4% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	47.40%
Principal LifeTime 2065 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 48.3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	48.30%
Principal LifeTime 2070 Fund
Prospectus [Line Items]
Expense Heading [Optional Text]	Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]	Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example [Heading]	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]	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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Fees and Expenses

Mar. 01, 2026

USD ($)

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

If you purchase Institutional Class shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]

With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

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 performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 52.2% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

52.20%

Core Fixed Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

If you purchase Institutional Class or Class R-6 shares through certain programs offered by certain financial intermediaries, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker, or to your Financial Professional or other financial intermediary.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. The calculation of costs takes into account any applicable contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the period noted in the table above. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

13.40%

Core Plus Bond Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

165.00%

Diversified Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

92.90%

Diversified International Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

38.20%

Equity Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

16.70%

Finisterre Emerging Markets Total Return Bond Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

125.70%

Global Emerging Markets Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

32.30%

Global Real Estate Securities Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

22.10%

Government & High Quality Bond Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

268.00%

Government Money Market Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

High Yield Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

40.30%

Inflation Protection Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

155.40%

International Bond Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

Based on estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

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 performance. This Fund is new and does not have a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.

International Equity Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

96.30%

LargeCap Growth Fund I

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

34.70%

LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

4.20%

LargeCap Value Fund III

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

60.50%

MidCap Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

13.70%

MidCap S&P 400 Index Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

16.20%

MidCap Value Fund I

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

79.60%

Money Market Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Classes A and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

Overseas Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

77.50%

Principal Capital Appreciation Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

55.80%

Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24.4% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

24.40%

Principal LifeTime 2015 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment):

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

27.30%

Principal LifeTime 2020 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

25.60%

Principal LifeTime 2025 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

30.00%

Principal LifeTime 2030 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

32.10%

Principal LifeTime 2035 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

37.20%

Principal LifeTime 2040 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. 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]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

38.90%

Principal LifeTime 2045 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

44.60%

Principal LifeTime 2050 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

44.70%

Principal LifeTime 2055 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

48.30%

Principal LifeTime 2060 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

47.40%

Principal LifeTime 2065 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

48.30%

Principal LifeTime 2070 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

47.90%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27.3% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

27.30%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2015 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 19.5% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

19.50%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2020 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 28.1% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

28.10%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2025 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24.4% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

24.40%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2030 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25.4% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

25.40%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2035 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 28.3% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

28.30%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2040 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 29.8% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

29.80%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2045 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 35.2% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

35.20%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2050 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 33.7% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

33.70%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2055 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 33.7% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

33.70%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2060 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 33.5% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

33.50%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2065 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 34.6% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

34.60%

Principal LifeTime Hybrid 2070 Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 49.5% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

49.50%

Real Estate Securities Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

18.50%

Strategic Asset Management Balanced Portfolio

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

The Fund and each underlying 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. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s and the underlying funds' performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 44.7% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

44.70%

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

32.30%

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Growth Portfolio

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

41.90%

Strategic Asset Management Flexible Income Portfolio

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

23.90%

Strategic Asset Management Strategic Growth Portfolio

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

44.80%

Short-Term Income Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

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 assumes conversion of the Class C shares to Class A shares after the eighth year. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. 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]

With respect to Classes C and J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

42.30%

SmallCap Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 398 of the Fund’s Prospectus, Appendix B to the Prospectus titled “Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions,” and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 69 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 50,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

31.40%

SmallCap Growth Fund I

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

70.10%

SmallCap S&P 600 Index Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

35.90%

SmallCap Value Fund II

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]

Fees have been restated to reflect current fees.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class J shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

89.90%

Tax-Exempt Bond Fund

Prospectus [Line Items]

Expense Heading [Optional Text]

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

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 Class A Shares of Principal Funds, Inc.

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

$ 100,000

Shareholder Fees Caption [Optional Text]

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Optional Text]

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Expense Example [Heading]

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text]

With respect to Class C shares, you would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares (all other classes would be the same as in the above example):

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

53.20%