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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName BRIDGEWAY FUNDS INC
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Oct. 31, 2015
Small-Cap Growth Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading FUND SUMMARY: SMALL-CAP GROWTH FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Small-Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide 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 123% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 123.00%
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 invests in a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE MKT and NASDAQ. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks from among those in the small-cap growth category at the time of purchase. The Adviser selects stocks within the small-cap growth category for the Fund using a statistically driven approach. Growth stocks are those the Adviser believes have above average prospects for economic growth.

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.

While the Fund is managed for long-term return on capital, the Adviser seeks to minimize capital gains distributions as part of a tax management strategy. The successful application of this method is intended to result in a more tax-efficient fund than would otherwise be the case.

The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks:
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock Shareholders of the Fund are exposed to significant stock market risk (volatility) and could lose money.

Investing in small-cap stocks may involve greater volatility and risk than investing in large- or mid-cap stocks.

Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are generally more sensitive to investor perceptions and market movements. In addition, growth stocks as a group may be out of favor at times and underperform the overall equity market for long periods while the market concentrates on other types of stocks, such as “value” stocks.

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 small companies in the Fund outgrow the Fund’s 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.

A higher portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs and as a result may adversely impact the Fund’s performance and may increase share price volatility. Moreover, a higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.

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 Shareholders of the Fund are exposed to significant stock market risk (volatility) 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 Small-Cap Growth 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 2.36%.
                 
       Quarter      Total
Return 		 
Best Quarter:
     Q4 11         19.95%   
Worst Quarter:
     Q3 11         -26.49%   
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.
Small-Cap Growth 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 rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange Fees rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.55%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.53%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.14%) [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.94%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 96
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 520
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,155
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 18.24%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 5.31%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 6.87%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (43.48%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 15.04%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.77%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (0.63%)
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.05%
2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 48.52%
2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 6.13%
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 2.36%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2011
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.95%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (26.49%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.13%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.34%
Small-Cap Growth Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Class N  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.11% [2]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.19% [2]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.32% [2]
Small-Cap Growth Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class N  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.48% [2]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.45% [2]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.27% [2]
Small-Cap Growth Fund | Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.60%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.80%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.54%
[1] Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to the Fund, pursuant to its Management Agreement with Bridgeway Funds, Inc. (“Bridgeway Funds”), is contractually obligated to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses, if necessary, to ensure that net expenses do not exceed 0.94%. The expense limitation cannot be changed or eliminated without shareholder approval.
[2] 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. 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.