| Label | Element | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Document Type | dei_DocumentType | 485BPOS |
| Document Period End Date | dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate | Apr. 30, 2026 |
| Registrant Name | dei_EntityRegistrantName | MFS® SERIES TRUST XII |
| Entity Central Index Key | dei_EntityCentralIndexKey | 0001330967 |
| Amendment Flag | dei_AmendmentFlag | false |
| Document Creation Date | dei_DocumentCreationDate | May 18, 2026 |
| Document Effective Date | dei_DocumentEffectiveDate | May 19, 2026 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | dei_EntityInvCompanyType | N-1A |
| Prospectus Date | oef_ProspectusDate | May 27, 2026 |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class A | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | LFTQX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class C | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | MLTPX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class I | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | MLTQX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class R1 | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | MLTRX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class R2 | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | MLTTX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class R3 | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | LFTVX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class R4 | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | LFTWX |
| MFS Lifetime 2070 Fund | Class R6 | ||
| Risk/Return: | oef_RiskReturnAbstract | |
| Trading Symbol | dei_TradingSymbol | LFTZX |