v3.25.1
Label Element Value
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL SERIES FUND, INC.
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate May 01, 2025
Large Company Value Portfolio  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Large Company Value Portfolio – Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE</span>
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek long-term capital growth.
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock Income is a secondary objective.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE PORTFOLIO</span>
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay when you buy, hold, and sell interests in a separate account that invests in shares of the Portfolio as a result of your purchase of a variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy. The fees and expenses shown in the table and Example do not reflect fees and expenses separately charged by variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. If the fees and expenses separately charged by variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies were included, the fees and expenses shown in the table and the Example would be higher.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Shareholder Fees</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">(fees paid directly from your investment)</span>
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">of the value of your investment)</span>
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;">April 30, 2026</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Portfolio Turnover</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was 39.69% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 39.69%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Example</span>
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold 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 Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Portfolio’s operating expenses due to the fee waiver agreement with the investment adviser for the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES</span>
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Normally, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of large-capitalization value companies. For purposes of the Portfolio, large-capitalization companies are those companies with market capitalizations within the capitalization range of the Russell 1000® Index. As of March 31, 2025, the market capitalization range of the Russell 1000® Index was approximately $272.60 million to $3.34 trillion.Value companies, as defined by the adviser, are those included in a third-party value index or those that exhibit certain financial characteristics (e.g., price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio, cash flow trends or dividend payment history and projections) determined by the adviser to indicate the company is undervalued by the market. For this purpose, a third-party value index is an index developed, calculated, and maintained by a third-party that measures the performance of value stocks. Companies may be undervalued due to market declines, poor economic conditions, actual or anticipated bad news regarding the issuer or its industry, or because they have been overlooked by the market. The adviser attempts to purchase the stocks of these undervalued companies and hold each stock until it has returned to favor in the market and the price has increased to, or is higher than, a level the adviser believes more accurately reflects the fair value of the company. The Portfolio’s sector exposure relative to its benchmark is driven by the adviser’s stock selection process, and, as a result, the Portfolio may at times have a relatively high percentage of its assets invested in a particular sector.The adviser uses a variety of analytical research tools and techniques to help make decisions about buying or holding securities of companies that meet its investment criteria and sell the securities of companies that do not. The Portfolio normally invests in a relatively limited number of Companies, generally 30-50.While most assets will be invested in U.S. equity securities, which includes common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, in keeping with the Portfolio’s objectives, it may also invest in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and foreign securities (up to 20% of net assets), including those of companies located in emerging markets. The Portfolio may utilize futures for cash management purposes and forwards to hedge foreign currency exposure.The adviser may sell stocks from the Portfolio if it believes a stock no longer meets established valuation criteria.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">PRINCIPAL RISKS</span>
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">PERFORMANCE</span>
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The following bar chart illustrates the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table to the right of the bar chart shows the Portfolio’s average annual total return over certain time periods  and compares the Portfolio’s returns with those of an index that closely aligns with the Portfolio's investment strategy (Strategy Index). The table also shows the Portfolio's returns against an index that represents the overall securities market (Broad-Based Index), which the Portfolio has added to comply with new regulatory requirements.  Returns are based on past results and are not an indication of future performance. Neither the bar chart nor the table reflects the fees and expenses separately charged by the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy separate account that invests in the Portfolio and returns would be lower if those fees and expenses were reflected.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0%;">The following bar chart illustrates the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing how the performance of the Portfolio has varied from year to year. The table to the right of the bar chart shows the Portfolio’s average annual total return over certain time periods  and compares the Portfolio’s returns with those of an index that closely aligns with the Portfolio's investment strategy (Strategy Index). The table also shows the Portfolio's returns against an index that represents the overall securities market (Broad-Based Index), which the Portfolio has added to comply with new regulatory requirements. </span>
Performance Additional Market Index [Text] rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9.02pt;">The Portfolio has added this broad-based index in response to new regulatory requirements.</span>
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;"> Returns are based on past results and are not an </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0%;">indication of future performance.</span>
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;"> Neither the bar chart nor the table reflects the fees and expenses separately charged by the variable </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;margin-left:0%;">annuity contract or variable life insurance policy separate account that invests in the Portfolio and returns would be lower if those </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;">fees and expenses were reflected.</span>
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Quarter/YearReturnBest Quarter4th quarter, 202214.66%Worst Quarter1st quarter, 2020-25.07%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">Average Annual Total Return </span> <br/><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10.02pt;font-weight:bold;">(for periods ended December 31, 2024)</span>
Large Company Value Portfolio | Risk Lose Money [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Portfolio shares will rise and fall in value and there is a risk you could lose money by investing in the Portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its objective.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Active Management Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Active Management Risk – The adviser’s investment strategies and techniques may not perform as expected which could cause the Portfolio to underperform other mutual funds or lose money.
Large Company Value Portfolio | ADR Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock ADR Risk – ADRs are receipts representing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer held by a U.S. bank or similar financial institution that entitle the holder to dividends and capital gains on the underlying foreign shares. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. They are subject to many of the risks associated with direct investments in foreign securities, such as currency risk, political and economic risk and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of the non-dollar denominated underlying foreign securities. The Portfolio is also subject to fees and the credit risk of the financial institution holding the ADRs. ADRs may be “sponsored,” meaning that they are implemented by a financial institution in collaboration with the issuing foreign company, or “unsponsored,” meaning that the financial institution created the instrument without the sponsorship or direct involvement of the foreign company. Differing registration requirements apply to each type of ADR. ADRs may transact on exchanges or on over-the-counter markets (“OTC”). Conducting transactions in OTC markets may result in higher costs, a lack of pricing transparency and lower liquidity when compared with exchange-based transactions. Risks associated with different ADR types will vary, based upon differences in registration, reporting and disclosure requirements that apply to such ADRs and the characteristics of the market in which transactions for the particular ADR are conducted.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Convertible Securities Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Convertible Securities Risk – Convertible securities (which can be bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stock, or other securities which are convertible into or exercisable for common stock), are subject to both the credit and interest rate risks associated with fixed income securities and to the stock market risk associated with equity securities. The value of a convertible security may not increase or decrease as rapidly as the underlying common stock. The Portfolio may be forced to convert a security before it would otherwise choose, which may have an adverse effect on the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Derivatives Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Derivatives Risk – The value of a derivative generally depends upon, or is derived from, an underlying asset, reference rate or index. The primary risks associated with the Portfolio’s use of derivatives are the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives transaction fails to make the required payment or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract, the risk that changes in the value of the derivatives may not correlate as intended with the underlying asset, rate or index, the risk of adverse price movements in the market, and the risk of missed opportunities in other investments. Certain derivatives involve leverage, which could cause the Portfolio to lose more than the principal amount invested. Other risks include management, interest rate, and liquidity risks. The Portfolio’s purchase of forwards and futures contracts may involve risks related to imperfect correlation between the prices of such instruments and the price of the underlying asset, as well as leverage, liquidity and volatility risks. In addition, the purchase of forwards also involves counterparty credit risk as well as heightened market risk.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Emerging Markets Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Emerging Markets Risk – Investing in emerging market securities increases foreign investing risk, and may subject the Portfolio to more rapid and extreme changes in the value of its holdings compared with investments made in U.S. securities or in foreign, developed countries. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to political, economic, legal, market, and currency risks. Emerging market securities trade in smaller markets which may experience significant price and market volatility, fluctuations in currency values, interest rates and commodity prices, higher transaction costs, and the increased likelihood of the occurrence of trading difficulties, such as delays in executing, clearing and settling Portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. Special risks associated with investments in emerging market issuers may include a lack of publicly available information, a lack of uniform disclosure, accounting, financial reporting, and recordkeeping standards, and more limited investor protection provisions when compared with developed economies. Emerging market risks also may include unpredictable and changing political, economic and tax policies, the imposition of capital controls and/or foreign investment limitations by a country, nationalization of businesses, and the imposition of sanctions or restrictions in certain investments by other countries, such as the United States.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Equity Securities Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Equity Securities Risk – The value of equity securities, such as common and preferred stocks, could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Portfolio is invested in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Foreign Investing Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Foreign Investing Risk – Investing in foreign securities may subject the Portfolio to more rapid and extreme changes in value or more losses than a fund that invests exclusively in U.S. securities. This risk is due to potentially smaller markets, differing reporting, accounting and auditing standards, and nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, currency blockage, political and economic conditions, or diplomatic developments. Foreign securities may be adversely affected by decreases in foreign currency values relative to the U.S. dollar and may be less liquid, more volatile, and harder to value than U.S. securities. The Portfolio’s investments in emerging markets heighten these risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Investment Style Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Investment Style Risk – A portfolio managed using a value style of investing, such as the Portfolio, may underperform when the market does not favor the particular style used by the Portfolio. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor, depending on market conditions and investor sentiment.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Large Cap Company Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Large Cap Company Risk – Investing in large cap stocks could cause the Portfolio to underperform in markets favoring faster growing companies. Large cap stocks tend to be more mature with fewer opportunities to grow and may not have the same growth potential as stocks with smaller capitalizations.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Market Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Market Risk – The risk that the market price of securities owned by the Portfolio may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, which magnifies the potential that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in, or foreign exchange rates with, a different country or region. Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises (such as epidemics and pandemics), and related events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased market volatility, which may disrupt U.S. and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse direct or indirect effects on the Portfolio and its investments.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Preferred Stocks Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Preferred Stocks Risk – Preferred stocks often lack a fixed maturity or redemption date and are therefore more susceptible to price fluctuations when interest rates change. They also carry a greater risk of non-receipt of income because unlike interest on debt securities, dividends on preferred stocks must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors before becoming payable.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Sector Focus Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Sector Focus Risk – To the extent the Portfolio invests a relatively high percentage of its assets in a particular sector, it will have greater exposure to the risks associated with that sector, including the risk that the securities of companies within the sector will underperform due to adverse economic conditions, regulatory or legislative changes, or increased competition affecting the sector. To the extent the Portfolio is underweight in other sectors, the Portfolio risks missing out on advances in those sectors.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Security Focus Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Security Focus Risk – The Portfolio’s performance could be more closely tied to the value of a single security or small number of securities because, although classified as a diversified investment company, the Portfolio employs a focused investment strategy and typically only invests in a small number of securities. As a result, the Portfolio’s performance could be more volatile than the performance of funds that hold a greater number of securities.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Underlying Portfolio Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Underlying Portfolio Risk – The Portfolio may serve as an investment option, or “Underlying Portfolio,” for other portfolios of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. that are managed as “fund of funds.” As a result, from time to time, the Portfolio may experience relatively large investments or redemptions from those other portfolios and could be required to invest cash or sell securities at a time when it is not advantageous to do so.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Warrants Investing Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Warrants Investing Risk – Investments in warrants may be more volatile than the underlying common stock and may cause the Portfolio increased risk of loss if the warrants cannot be exercised prudently by the expiration date or if the warrants lack a liquid secondary market for resale. Warrants can provide exposure to an underlying stock for a portion of the price of direct ownership of shares of that stock. As a result, most warrants have some degree of leverage, which can vary depending on the type of warrant. This means that small changes in the value of the underlying stock results in larger changes in the value of the warrant. This can magnify gains when stock prices rise, but it can also magnify losses when stock prices fall.
Large Company Value Portfolio | Large Company Value Portfolio  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Shareholder Fees(fees paid directly from your investment) rr_ShareholderFeeOther
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
Fee Waiver rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [1]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.75% [1]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 77
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 250
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 439
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 985
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (3.85%)
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 15.36%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 11.10%
2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (7.92%)
2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 27.66%
2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 2.64%
2021 rr_AnnualReturn2021 21.92%
2022 rr_AnnualReturn2022 (0.34%)
2023 rr_AnnualReturn2023 3.80%
2024 rr_AnnualReturn2024 10.69%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9.02pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">Best Quarter</span>
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2022
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 14.66%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9.02pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">Worst Quarter</span>
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (25.07%)
1 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.69%
5 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.46%
10 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.58%
Large Company Value Portfolio | S&P 500® Index(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 25.02% [2]
5 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.53% [2]
10 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.10% [2]
Large Company Value Portfolio | Russell 1000® Value Index(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.37%
5 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.69%
10 Yr rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.49%
[1] The Portfolio's investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee. This contractual agreement will continue through at least April 30, 2026 and may not be terminated prior to that date without action by the Board of Directors.
[2] The Portfolio has added this broad-based index in response to new regulatory requirements.