| Shareholder Report | 6 Months Ended |
| Jul. 31, 2024 USD ($) Holding |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSRS |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | Vanguard
Specialized Funds |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000734383 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Jul. 31, 2024 |
| C000008005 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Energy Fund |
| Class Name | Investor Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VGENX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Energy Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Investor Shares $24 0.44% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 24 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.44% |
| AssetsNet | $ 5,896,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 47 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 19% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $5,896 Number of Portfolio Holdings 47 Portfolio Turnover Rate 19% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024) North America 63.3% Europe 32.5% Asia 2.7% South America 1.1% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 0.4% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000008006 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Energy Fund |
| Class Name | Admiral™ Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VGELX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Energy Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Admiral Shares $19 0.36% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 19 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.36% |
| AssetsNet | $ 5,896,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 47 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 19% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $5,896 Number of Portfolio Holdings 47 Portfolio Turnover Rate 19% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024) North America 63.3% Europe 32.5% Asia 2.7% South America 1.1% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 0.4% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000008007 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Health Care Fund |
| Class Name | Investor Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VGHCX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Health Care Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Investor Shares $20 0.38% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 20 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.38% |
| AssetsNet | $ 48,824,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 107 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 15% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $48,824 Number of Portfolio Holdings 107 Portfolio Turnover Rate 15% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024) North America 67.8% Europe 21.4% Asia 8.7% South America 0.0% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 2.1% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000008008 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Health Care Fund |
| Class Name | Admiral™ Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VGHAX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Health Care Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Admiral Shares $17 0.33% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 17 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.33% |
| AssetsNet | $ 48,824,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 107 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 15% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $48,824 Number of Portfolio Holdings 107 Portfolio Turnover Rate 15% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024) North America 67.8% Europe 21.4% Asia 8.7% South America 0.0% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 2.1% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000008004 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Dividend Growth Fund |
| Class Name | Investor Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VDIGX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Investor Shares $12 0.23% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 12 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.23% |
| AssetsNet | $ 52,865,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 49 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 7% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $52,865 Number of Portfolio Holdings 49 Portfolio Turnover Rate 7% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024 Consumer Discretionary 9.8% Consumer Staples 12.8% Financials 14.8% Health Care 19.1% Industrials 18.5% Information Technology 15.2% Materials 5.0% Real Estate 3.1% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 1.7% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000031350 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
| Class Name | ETF Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VIG |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment ETF Shares $3 0.06% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 3 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.06% |
| AssetsNet | $ 97,344,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 344 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 10% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $97,344 Number of Portfolio Holdings 344 Portfolio Turnover Rate 10% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments, derivatives and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024 Communication Services 0.9% Consumer Discretionary 6.0% Consumer Staples 11.4% Energy 3.4% Financials 20.2% Health Care 15.9% Industrials 12.1% Information Technology 23.5% Materials 4.0% Utilities 2.3% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 0.3% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| C000135474 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
| Class Name | Admiral™ Shares |
| Trading Symbol | VDADX |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (the "Fund") for the period of February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-Annual Shareholder Report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800-662-7447. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 800-662-7447 |
| Additional Information Website | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the last six months? (based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Share Class Name Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Admiral Shares $4 0.08% Footnote Reference Footnote Description Footnote 1 Annualized. |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 4 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.08% |
| AssetsNet | $ 97,344,000,000 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 344 |
| InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover | 10% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Fund Statistics (as of July 31, 2024 Fund Net Assets (in millions) $97,344 Number of Portfolio Holdings 344 Portfolio Turnover Rate 10% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | This table reflects the Fund's investments, including short-term investments, derivatives and other assets and liabilities. Portfolio Composition % of Net Assets (as of July 31, 2024 Communication Services 0.9% Consumer Discretionary 6.0% Consumer Staples 11.4% Energy 3.4% Financials 20.2% Health Care 15.9% Industrials 12.1% Information Technology 23.5% Materials 4.0% Utilities 2.3% Other Assets and Liabilities—Net 0.3% |
| Material Fund Change [Text Block] | |
| Updated Prospectus Web Address | https://personal1.vanguard.com/ngf-next-gen-form-webapp/fund-literature |
