Performance Management - Putnam VT Sustainable Leaders Fund |
Jun. 30, 2026 |
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| Prospectus [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] | Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Narrative [Text Block] | The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the fund’s performance from year to year for Class IA shares. The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the fund’s performance with the average annual total returns of a broad measure of market performance, an additional index with characteristics relevant to the fund and the Linked S&P 500 Index, which represents the performance of the Russell 3000® Growth Index through August 31, 2019, and the performance of the S&P 500® Index thereafter. On April 30, 2018 and again on October 5, 2026, the fund materially changed its investment strategy and may have achieved materially different performance results under its current investment strategy than it achieved under the investment strategies in effect before those dates. Performance for classes other than those shown may vary from the performance shown to the extent the expenses for those classes differ. The fund makes updated performance information, including its current net asset value per share, available at www.franklintempleton.com. The fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Insurance-related charges or expenses are not reflected in the performance information below, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
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| Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] | The fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] | The bar chart shows changes in the fund’s performance from year to year for Class IA shares. The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the fund’s performance with the average annual total returns of a broad measure of market performance, an additional index with characteristics relevant to the fund and the Linked S&P 500 Index, which represents the performance of the Russell 3000® Growth Index through August 31, 2019, and the performance of the S&P 500® Index thereafter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Additional Market Index [Text] | The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the fund’s performance with the average annual total returns of a broad measure of market performance, an additional index with characteristics relevant to the fund and the Linked S&P 500 Index, which represents the performance of the Russell 3000® Growth Index through August 31, 2019, and the performance of the S&P 500® Index thereafter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bar Chart [Heading] | Annual total returns for class IA shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] |
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| Performance Table Heading | Average annual total returns (for periods ended 12/31/25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Table Closing [Text Block] | Important data provider notices and terms are available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com. Such information is subject to change.
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| Performance Availability Website Address [Text] | www.franklintempleton.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class IA Shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prospectus [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year to Date Return, Label [Optional Text] | year-to-date return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bar Chart, Year to Date Return | 4.21% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date | Jun. 30, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Quarterly Return, Label [Optional Text] | Best Quarter: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Quarterly Return | 24.12% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Quarterly Return, Date | Jun. 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest Quarterly Return, Label [Optional Text] | Worst Quarter: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest Quarterly Return | (17.79%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest Quarterly Return, Date | Jun. 30, 2022 |