v3.24.3
Performance Management - SMALLCAP WORLD FUND INC
Sep. 30, 2024
Prospectus [Line Items]  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] Investment results
Performance Narrative [Text Block]

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Prior to October 30, 2020, certain fees, such as 12b-1 fees, were not charged on Class 529-F-1 shares. If these expenses had been deducted, results would have been lower. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting capitalgroup.com.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results.
Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block]

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] (Class F-2 shares are not subject to sales charges.)
Bar Chart [Heading] Calendar year total returns for Class F-2 shares (Class F-2 shares are not subject to sales charges.)
Bar Chart [Table]

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:

 

Highest 31.92% (quarter ended June 30, 2020)

 

Lowest -22.52% (quarter ended March 31, 2020)

 

The fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was 7.11%.
Year to Date Return, Label [Optional Text] The fund's total return for the nine months ended
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return 7.11%
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date Sep. 30, 2024
Highest Quarterly Return, Label [Optional Text] Highest
Highest Quarterly Return 31.92%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date Jun. 30, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label [Optional Text] Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return (22.52%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date Mar. 31, 2020
Performance Table Market Index Changed Effective July 24, 2024, the fund’s primary benchmark changed from the MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index (the “Previous Primary Benchmark”) to the MSCI ACWI IMI, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund’s results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund’s investment universe. There is no change in the fund’s investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance [Table]
           
Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2023:
Share class Inception date 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
F-2 − Before taxes 8/1/2008 19.19% 10.84% 7.93% 8.40%
− After taxes on distributions   19.04 10.10 6.88 N/A
− After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares 11.64 8.72 6.25 N/A
           
Share classes (before taxes) Inception date 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
A (with maximum sales charge) 4/30/1990 12.02% 9.25% 7.01% 9.16%
C 3/15/2001 16.97 9.73 6.98 8.05
F-1 3/15/2001 18.80 10.51 7.61 8.35
F-3 1/27/2017 19.32 10.96 N/A 9.38
529-A (with maximum sales charge) 2/19/2002 14.66 9.73 7.21 8.86
529-C 2/20/2002 16.92 9.68 7.17 8.79
529-E 3/15/2002 18.58 10.29 7.36 8.44
529-F-1 9/17/2002 19.03 10.74 7.81 10.36
529-F-2 10/30/2020 19.21 N/A N/A 4.32
529-F-3 10/30/2020 19.23 N/A N/A 4.37
R-1 6/19/2002 18.04 9.75 6.85 8.43
R-2 5/31/2002 18.02 9.75 6.86 8.16
R-2E 8/29/2014 18.36 10.07 N/A 7.41
R-3 6/20/2002 18.53 10.24 7.33 8.94
R-4 7/24/2002 18.90 10.58 7.67 10.09
R-5E 11/20/2015 19.14 10.80 N/A 8.98
R-5 5/15/2002 19.26 10.91 7.99 9.16
R-6 5/1/2009 19.31 10.96 8.04 12.03
         
Indexes* 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
(from
Class F-2 inception)
MSCI ACWI IMI (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) 21.58% 11.49% 7.77% 7.19%
MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) 16.84 9.85 6.66 7.70

* Effective July 24, 2024, the fund’s primary benchmark changed from the MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index (the “Previous Primary Benchmark”) to the MSCI ACWI IMI, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund’s results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund’s investment universe. There is no change in the fund’s investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Average Annual Return, Caption [Optional Text] Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2023:
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] After-tax returns are shown only for Class F-2 shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

After-tax returns are shown only for Class F-2 shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] capitalgroup.com