| Form N-CSR Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2024 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSR |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | DAVIS VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUND INC |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001084060 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2024 |
| Shareholder Report | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Holding | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSR |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | DAVIS VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUND INC |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001084060 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2024 |
| C000009558 [Member] | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Davis Financial Portfolio |
| Trading Symbol | QDFPAX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This Annual shareholder report contains important information about the Davis Financial Portfolio (the “Fund”) for the period of January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 (the “period”). |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Annual shareholder report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at davisfunds.com/resources/regulatory-documents |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 1-800-279-0279 |
| Additional Information Website | davisfunds.com/resources/regulatory-documents |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund expenses for the last year? (Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Fund Costs of $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Davis Financial Portfolio $ 0.76 % |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 87 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.76% |
| Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block] | Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance Summary of Results The Fund underperformed the S&P 500 Financials Index (the “Index”) for the period. The Fund delivered a total return of 29.50%, versus a 30.56% return for the Index. The Fund outperformed the 25.02% return of the S&P 500 Index. The Fund invests, under normal conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks (including American Depositary Receipts) issued by companies principally engaged in the financial services sector. The Fund continues to invest a significant portion of its assets in foreign companies. Market Overview S&P 500 Financials Strongest performing industries - Consumer Finance (+55%) and Banks (+38%) Weakest performing industries - Financial Services (+26%), Capital Markets (+27%), and Insurance (+27%) Detractors from Performance Financial Services - underperformed the Index industry (+9% vs +26%) Rocket Companies (-22%) - largest individual detractor Banks - underperformed the Index industry (+33% vs +38%) DNB Bank (+2%) Consumer Finance - underperformed the Index industry (+45% vs +55%) Repurchase agreement position (cash) in a strong market environment (2% average position) Contributors to Performance Overweight in Consumer Finance (average weighting 14% vs 4%) Capital One Financial (+38%) - largest individual contributor American Express (+60%) Significantly overweight in Banks - (average weighting 46% vs 25%) Wells Fargo (+46%), JPMorgan Chase (+44%), DBS Group Holdings (+47%), Fifth Third Bancorp (+27%), Capital Markets - outperformed the Index industry (+35% vs +27%) and underweight (average weighting 12% vs 22%) Bank of New York Mellon (+52%) Individual holdings Berkshire Hathaway (+25%) and Chubb (+24%) |
| Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] | The performance data quoted in this report represents past performance, assumes that all distributions were reinvested , and is not a guarantee of future results. |
| Line Graph [Table Text Block] | Fund Performance The following graph compares the initial and subsequent account values of a $10,000 investment in the Fund, the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P 500 Financials Index , GROWTH OF $10,000 |
| Average Annual Return [Table Text Block] | AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED 12/31/24 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Davis Financial Portfolio 29.50 % 10.87 % 10.29 % S&P 500 Index 25.02 % 14.51 % 13.09 % S&P 500 Financials Index 30.56 % 11.69 % 11.42 % |
| Updated Performance Information Location [Text Block] | For most recent month-end performance information, please call Investor Services at 1-800-279-0279 or visit the Fund’s website at www.davisfunds.com . |
| Net Assets | $ 56,400,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 27 |
| Advisory Fees Paid, Amount | $ 305,400 |
| Investment Company Portfolio Turnover | 2% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets as of 12/31/24 (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings as of 12/31/24 27 Portfolio turnover rate for the period 2 % Total advisory fees paid for the period (in thousands) $ |
| Holdings [Text Block] | Top Industries as of 12/31/24 Net Assets Banks 46.32 % Insurance 16.50 % Consumer Finance 15.39 % Capital Markets 11.94 % Financial Services 6.57 % |
| Shareholder Report, Line Graph (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | 60 Months Ended | 120 Months Ended | ||||||||||
| Dec. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | |
| C000009558 [Member] | |||||||||||||
| Account Value [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
| Line Graph and Table Measure Name | Davis Financial Portfolio | ||||||||||||
| Account Value | $ 26,663 | $ 26,663 | $ 26,663 | $ 20,590 | $ 17,858 | $ 19,524 | $ 14,956 | $ 15,909 | $ 12,640 | $ 14,150 | $ 11,654 | $ 10,201 | $ 10,000 |
| Average Annual Return, Percent | 29.50% | 10.87% | 10.29% | ||||||||||
| Standard & Poor's 500 Index [Member] | |||||||||||||
| Account Value [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
| Line Graph and Table Measure Name | S&P 500 Index | ||||||||||||
| Account Value | $ 34,256 | $ 34,256 | $ 34,256 | 27,401 | 21,697 | 26,495 | 20,586 | 17,386 | 13,223 | 13,828 | 11,351 | 10,138 | 10,000 |
| Average Annual Return, Percent | 25.02% | 14.51% | 13.09% | ||||||||||
| S And P 500 financials Index [Member] | |||||||||||||
| Account Value [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
| Line Graph and Table Measure Name | S&P 500 Financials Index | ||||||||||||
| Account Value | $ 29,527 | $ 29,527 | $ 29,527 | $ 22,616 | $ 20,166 | $ 22,539 | $ 16,691 | $ 16,977 | $ 12,849 | $ 14,774 | $ 12,092 | $ 9,847 | $ 10,000 |
| Average Annual Return, Percent | 30.56% | 11.69% | 11.42% |
| Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details) - C000009558 [Member] | Dec. 31, 2024 |
| Financial Services Sector [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 6.57% |
| Insurance Sector [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 16.50% |
| Banks [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 46.32% |
| Capital Markets [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 11.94% |
| Consumer Finance [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 15.39% |
