v3.26.3
Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details)
Jul. 31, 2026
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class A [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class C [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-1 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-2 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class F-3 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-A [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-C [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-E [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-2 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class 529-F-3 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-1 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-2E [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-3 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-4 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5E [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-5 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 69.39%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | U.S. corporate bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 13.41%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Corporate bonds notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.23%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | U.S. Treasury bonds & notes [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 3.12%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Mortgage-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 2.80%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Asset-backed obligations [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.11%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Loans [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.54%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.40%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Municipals [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 0.21%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Other Securities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 1.59%
The Income Fund of America - Class R-6 [Member] | Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]  
Holdings [Line Items]  
Percent of Net Asset Value 5.20% [1]
[1] Includes derivatives.