AMERICAN MUTUAL FUND Class A Class 529-A Class C Class 529-C Class 529-E Class 529-T Class T Class F-1 Class 529-F-1 Class F-2 Class F-3 Class 529-F-2 Class 529-F-3 Class R-1 Class R-2 Class R-3 Class R-4 Class R-5 Class R-6 Class R-2E Class R-5E Market conditions [Member] Issuer risks [Member] Investing in growth-oriented stocks [Member] Investing in income-oriented stocks [Member] Investing in debt instruments [Member] Management [Member] S&P 500 Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) C000024453 Member C000186125 Member C000077851 Member C000164809 Member Market Conditions Member C000024458 Member Investing In Incomeoriented Stocks Member C000024460 Member C000186124 Member Investing In Growthoriented Stocks Member C000024457 Member C000024450 Member index_ SP_500_ Index_reflects_no_deductions_for_sales_charges_account_fees_expenses_or_ US_federal_income_taxes Member C000148452 Member Issuer Risks Member C000024462 Member C000024452 Member C000024449 Member C000024454 Member C000190068 Member C000176470 Member C000024456 Member C000190067 Member ManagementMember Investing In Debt Instruments Member S000008999 Member C000024461 Member C000024451 Member C000068556 Member