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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName BRIDGEWAY FUNDS INC
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Oct. 31, 2015
Ultra-Small Company Market Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading FUND SUMMARY: ULTRA-SMALL COMPANY MARKET FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Ultra-Small Company Market Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide a long-term total return on capital, primarily through capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover:
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 32.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights, which reflects operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example:
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies:
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund aims to achieve its objective by approximating the total return of the Cap-Based Portfolio 10 Index (the “Index”) published by the University of Chicago’s Center for Research in Security Prices (“CRSP”) over longer time periods. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in ultra-small company stocks based on company size at the time of purchase. For purposes of the Fund’s investments, “ultra-small companies” are defined as those: (i) companies that have a market capitalization the size of the smallest 10% of companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange; or (ii) companies with a capitalization that falls within the range of capitalization of companies included in the Index as defined by CRSP. A majority of the stocks in the Fund are listed on NASDAQ. On June 30, 2015, the stocks in this group generally had a market capitalization of less than $284 million. The Adviser invests in a representative sample of the companies included in the Index using a statistically driven approach. However, the Adviser also may invest in companies that are not included in the Index.

Although the Fund seeks investments across a number of sectors, from time to time, based on portfolio positioning to reflect its benchmark, the Fund may have significant positions in particular sectors.

The Adviser also seeks to minimize the distribution of capital gains, within the constraints of the investment objective and ultra-small company focus, by offsetting capital gains with capital losses. By paying close attention to trading, the Adviser seeks to conduct such tax management without detriment to the overall Fund return.

The Fund may purchase stock market index futures in order to equitize cash.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks:
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock The market price of ultra-small company shares typically exhibits greater volatility than small-company and even micro-cap company shares and much greater volatility than large-company shares. Therefore, shareholders of this Fund are exposed to higher risk and could lose money.

The Fund is also subject to the risk that ultra-small company stocks will underperform other kinds of investments for a period of time.

Companies with similar characteristics may be grouped together in broad categories called sectors. A certain sector may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole. As the Adviser allocates more of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to a particular sector, the Fund’s performance will be more susceptible to any economic, business or other developments which generally affect that sector.

If too many ultra-small companies in the Fund outgrow the Fund’s ultra-small-cap mandate or if the Fund experiences extensive redemptions, the Adviser might need to sell some stocks, which could create capital gains. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will not distribute substantial capital gains, although the Adviser strongly intends to avoid doing so.

The Fund’s use of futures to manage risk or hedge market volatility may not always be successful hedges, their prices can be highly volatile, they may not always successfully manage risk and they could lower the Fund’s total return.

The Adviser uses statistical analyses and models to select investments for the Fund. Any imperfections, errors or limitations in the models or analyses and therefore any decisions made in reliance on such models or analyses could expose the Fund to potential risks. In addition, the models used by the Adviser assume that certain historical statistical relationships will continue. These models are constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties and, as a result, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Therefore, shareholders of this Fund are exposed to higher risk and could lose money.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance:
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied on a calendar year basis. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. This information is based on past performance. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not guarantee future results. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.bridgeway.com or by calling 800-661-3550.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied on a calendar year basis. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800-661-3550
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.bridgeway.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) does not guarantee future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Ultra-Small Company Market Fund
Year by Year % Returns as of 12/31 of Each Year
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Return from 1/1/15 through 9/30/15 was -11.58%.

                 
       Quarter      Total
Return 		 
Best Quarter:
     Q2 09         25.15%   
Worst Quarter:
     Q4 08         -27.94%   
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns (For the periods ended 12/31/14)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement plans.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other returns for the same period due to a potential tax benefit of realizing a capital loss upon the sale of Fund shares.
Ultra-Small Company Market Fund | Class N  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fees (as a percentage of amount redeemed for shares held less than six months) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 2.00%
Exchange Fees rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.78% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 80
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 249
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 433
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 966
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 4.08%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.48%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (5.40%)
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (39.49%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 25.95%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 24.86%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (7.86%)
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 19.83%
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 50.91%
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 4.61%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Return from 1/1/15 through 9/30/15
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2015
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (11.58%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 25.15%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (27.94%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.61%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.83%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.18%
Ultra-Small Company Market Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Class N  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.89% [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.72% [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.84% [3]
Ultra-Small Company Market Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class N  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.51% [3]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.55% [3]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.86% [3]
Ultra-Small Company Market Fund | CRSP Cap-Based Portfolio 10 Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.86%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.47%
[1] Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are expenses incurred by the Fund through its ownership of shares in other investment companies, including business development companies.
[2] Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights, which reflects operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
[3] After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other returns for the same period due to a potential tax benefit of realizing a capital loss upon the sale of Fund shares. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement plans.