American High Income Trust (AHITX) N-CSR29 Nov 24Certified annual shareholder report (management investment company)Financial data

Company Profile

Form N-CSR Cover

Form N-CSR Cover	12 Months Ended
Form N-CSR Cover	Sep. 30, 2024
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Document Type	N-CSR
Amendment Flag	false
Registrant Name	AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0000823620
Entity Investment Company Type	N-1A
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2024

Shareholder Report

Shareholder Report	12 Months Ended
Shareholder Report	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) Holding
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Document Type	N-CSR
Amendment Flag	false
Registrant Name	AMERICAN HIGH INCOME TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0000823620
Entity Investment Company Type	N-1A
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2024
American High-Income Trust - Class A
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class A
Trading Symbol	AHITX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-A
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-A
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class A $ 0.72 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 78
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.72%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class A shares gained 16.81% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-A What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class A (with sales charge) * 12.46 % 4.95 % 4.40 % American High-Income Trust — Class A (without sales charge) * 16.81 % 5.76 % 4.80 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-6
Trading Symbol	RITGX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R6 can
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R6
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-6 $ 0.32 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 35
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.32%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-6 shares gained 17.27% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R6 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-6 * 17.27 % 6.17 % 5.19 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class C
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class C
Trading Symbol	AHTCX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-C
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-C
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class C $ 1.45 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 157
Expense Ratio, Percent	1.45%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class C shares gained 15.97% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-C What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class C (with sales charge) * 14.97 % 4.98 % 4.16 % American High-Income Trust — Class C (without sales charge) * 15.97 % 4.98 % 4.16 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloo mber * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloo mber
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net as sets $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class T
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class T
Trading Symbol	TAHIX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class T $ 0.45 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 49
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.45%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class T shares gained 17.12% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class T (with sales charge) 2 14.21 % 5.49 % 5.15 % American High-Income Trust — Class T (without sales charge) 2 17.12 % 6.03 % 5.51 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.66 % Bloomberg U.S. Cor pora 3 15.73 % 4.70 % 4.92 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. 1 2 3
Performance Inception Date	Apr. 07, 2017
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total adv isory $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class F-1
Trading Symbol	AHTFX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F1
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F1
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class F-1 $ 0.73 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 79
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.73%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class F-1 shares gained 16.80% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-F1 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual to tal 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class F-1 * 16.80 % 5.75 % 4.78 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advi sory $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class F-2
Trading Symbol	AHIFX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F2
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F2
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class F-2 $ 0.43 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 47
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.43%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class F-2 shares gained 17.15% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-F2 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Inc om * 17.15 % 6.06 % 5.07 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total adv isory $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class F-3
Trading Symbol	HIGFX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F3
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-F3
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? based hypothetical 10,000 Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class F-3 $ 0.32 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 35
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.32%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class F-3 shares gained 17.27% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-F3 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class F-3 2 17.27 % 6.17 % 5.67 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.74 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index 3 15.73 % 4.70 % 4.99 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change 1 2 3
Performance Inception Date	Jan. 27, 2017
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-A
Trading Symbol	CITAX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529A
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529A
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-A $ 0.74 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 80
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.74%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-A shares gained 16.79% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73 capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529A What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class 529-A (with sales charge) * 12.67 % 4.98 % 4.38 % American High-Income Trust — Class 529-A (without sales charge) * 16.79 % 5.73 % 4.75 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total ad viso $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-C
Trading Symbol	CITCX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529C
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529C
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-C $ 1.50 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 162
Expense Ratio, Percent	1.50%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-C shares gained 15.91% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529C What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class 529-C (with sales charge) * 14.91 % 4.94 % 4.35 % American High-Income Trust — Class 529-C (without sales charge) * 15.91 % 4.94 % 4.35 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-E
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-E
Trading Symbol	CITEX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529E
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529E
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-E $ 0.93 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 101
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.93%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-E shares gained 16.57% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529E What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class 529-E * 16.57 % 5.53 % 4.55 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * † directly
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-T
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-T
Trading Symbol	TAIHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-T $ 0.50 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 54
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.50%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-T shares gained 17.06% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class 529-T (with sales charge) 2 14.15 % 5.43 % 5.09 % American High-Income Trust — Class 529-T (without sales charge) 2 17.06 % 5.98 % 5.45 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.66 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index 3 15.73 % 4.70 % 4.92 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped 1 2 applicable 3
Performance Inception Date	Apr. 07, 2017
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-F-1
Trading Symbol	CITFX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F1
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F1
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-F-1 $ 0.55 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 60
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.55%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-F-1 shares gained 17.00% for the year ended September 30, 2024 capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529F1 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-1 * 17.00 % 5.94 % 4.97 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-F-2
Trading Symbol	FAHHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F2
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F2
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-F-2 $ 0.44 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 48
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.44%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-F-2 shares gained 17.14% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529F2 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-2 2 17.14 % 6.88 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % (1.18 ) % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index 3 15.73 % 5.06 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. 1 2 applicable 3
Performance Inception Date	Oct. 30, 2020
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-3
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class 529-F-3
Trading Symbol	FTAHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F3
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-529F3
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 529-F-3 $ 0.39 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 42
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.39%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class 529-F-3 shares gained 17.19% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-529F3 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-3 2 17.19 % 6.92 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % (1.18 ) % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index 3 15.73 % 5.06 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate 1 2 3
Performance Inception Date	Oct. 30, 2020
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-1
Trading Symbol	RITAX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R1
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R1
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-1 $ 1.42 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 153
Expense Ratio, Percent	1.42%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-1 shares gained 16.00% for the year ended September 30, 2024. capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R1 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-1 * 16.00 % 5.00 % 4.02 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-2
Trading Symbol	RITBX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R2
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R2
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-2 $ 1.41 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 152
Expense Ratio, Percent	1.41%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-2 shares gained 16.02% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R2 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-2 * 16.02 % 5.01 % 4.03 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield * † Services
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-2E
Trading Symbol	RTEHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R2E
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R2E
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-2E $ 1.12 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 121
Expense Ratio, Percent	1.12%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-2E shares gained 16.35% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R2E What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-2E * 16.35 % 5.32 % 4.38 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-3
Trading Symbol	RITCX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R3
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R3
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-3 $ 0.97 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 105
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.97%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-3 shares gained 16.52% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R3 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-3 * 16.52 % 5.48 % 4.50 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-4
Trading Symbol	RITEX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R4
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R4
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-4 $ 0.67 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 73
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.67%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-4 shares gained 16.87% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including the fund lifetime, please refer to capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R4 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-4 * 16.87 % 5.80 % 4.82 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High * †
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-5E
Trading Symbol	RITHX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R5E
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R5E
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-5E $ 0.47 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 51
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.47%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-5E shares gained 17.10% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R5E What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years Since inception 1 American High-Income Trust — Class R-5E 2 17.10 % 6.01 % 6.44 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index 3 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.80 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index 3 15.73 % 4.70 % 6.07 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change. 1 2 applicable 3
Performance Inception Date	Nov. 20, 2015
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment adviser believes is more representative of the fund's investment universe. There is no change in the fund's investment strategies as a result of the benchmark change.
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	American High-Income Trust®
Class Name	Class R-5
Trading Symbol	RITFX
Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block]	This annual shareholder report contains important information about American High-Income Trust (the "fund")
Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual	annual shareholder report
Additional Information [Text Block]	You can find additional information about the fund at capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R5
Additional Information Phone Number	(800) 421-4225
Additional Information Website	capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-literature-R5
Expenses [Text Block]	What were the fund costs for the last year? Share class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class R-5 $ 0.38 %
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 41
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.38%
Factors Affecting Performance [Text Block]	Management's discussion of fund performance The fund’s Class R-5 shares gained 17.21% for the year ended September 30, 2024. That result compares with a 15.73% gain for the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. For information on returns for additional periods, including capitalgroup.com/mutual-fund-returns-R5 What factors influenced results U.S. bond markets remained strong during the fund’s fiscal year, most of which was spent anticipating a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve that arrived only at the tail end of the period. Below-investment grade (BB/Ba and below) bonds delivered some of the strongest results within fixed income during this time. Security selection within the portfolio was particularly additive during the period, with securities issued by electric utilities, technology companies and noncyclical consumer companies contributing strongly to returns when compared with the broader high yield index. The fund’s lowest rated securities provided some of the highest returns. Conversely, the fund’s more defensive positioning (including bonds with higher credit ratings and, in some cases, recently upgraded investment grade securities), detracted from results relative to the broader high yield index given the overall solid performance of the high yield market.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	The fund’s past performance is not a predictor of its future performance.
Line Graph [Table Text Block]
Average Annual Return [Table Text Block]	Average annual total returns 1 year 5 years 10 years American High-Income Trust — Class R-5 * 17.21 % 6.11 % 5.13 % Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index † 11.57 % 0.33 % 1.84 % Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index † 15.73 % 4.70 % 5.04 % Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment * † expenses
No Deduction of Taxes [Text Block]	The line chart and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Performance Table Market Index Changed [Text Block]	Effective July 24, 2024, the fund's primary benchmark changed from the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index (the "Previous Primary Benchmark") to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, a broad-based index that represents the overall applicable securities market, as required by the SEC. The Previous Primary Benchmark provides a means to compare the fund's results to a benchmark that the investment
Net Assets	$ 22,385,000,000
Holdings Count \| Holding	1,008
Advisory Fees Paid, Amount	$ 55,000,000
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	39%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key fund statistics Fund net assets (in millions) $ Total number of portfolio holdings 1,008 Total advisory fees paid (in millions) $ Portfolio turnover rate 39 %
Holdings [Text Block]	Portfolio holdings by asset type *Includes derivatives.

Shareholder Report, Line Graph

Shareholder Report, Line Graph (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Shareholder Report, Line Graph (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Oct. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Apr. 07, 2017	Jan. 27, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 20, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-5
Account Value	$ 16,489		$ 14,068		$ 12,893		$ 14,581			$ 12,631	$ 12,256	$ 11,817	$ 11,375			$ 10,431		$ 9,443	$ 10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-5E
Account Value	$ 17,380		14,843		13,616		15,413			13,364	12,982	12,528	12,069			11,070	$ 10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-4
Account Value	$ 16,010		13,699		12,591		14,280			12,407	12,075	11,677	11,274			10,369		9,415	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-3
Account Value	$ 15,524		13,322		12,282		13,973			12,176	11,888	11,531	11,167			10,302		9,384	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-2E
Account Value	$ 15,355		13,197		12,184		13,884			12,118	11,851	11,514	11,169			10,320		9,406	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-2
Account Value	$ 14,839		12,790		11,844		13,535			11,847	11,619	11,321	11,013			10,207		9,340	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-1
Account Value	$ 14,824		12,779		11,834		13,524			11,841	11,616	11,321	11,015			10,210		9,342	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-3
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-3
Account Value	$ 12,997	$ 12,164	11,091	$ 10,882	10,166	$ 11,207	11,499	$ 10,957	$ 10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-1
Account Value	$ 16,243		13,882		12,745		14,437			12,525	12,170	11,749	11,325			10,400		9,429	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-2
Account Value	$ 12,976	$ 12,146	11,077	$ 10,870	10,156	$ 11,197	11,492	$ 10,954	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-T
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-T (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 14,495		12,383		11,364		12,868			11,160	10,844	10,468	10,089	$ 9,747
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-E
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-E
Account Value	$ 15,598		13,381		12,331		14,022			12,213	11,915	11,551	11,182			10,312		9,387	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-C (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 15,309		13,108		12,057		13,684			11,896	11,585	11,294	10,994			10,196		9,335	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class 529-A (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 15,346		13,140		12,087		13,717			11,924	11,613	11,238	10,858			9,993		9,080	9,652
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class F-32
Account Value	$ 15,268		13,019		11,925		13,479			11,670	11,318	10,907	10,495		$ 10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class F-2
Account Value	$ 16,403		14,001		12,838		14,525			12,588	12,221	11,789	11,355			10,419		9,437	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class F-1
Account Value	$ 15,945		13,652		12,555		14,248			12,384	12,058	11,665	11,266			10,365		9,413	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class T
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class T (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 14,557		12,429		11,399		12,900			11,182	10,860	10,477	10,092	9,747
American High-Income Trust - Class C
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class C (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 15,029		12,866		11,831		13,523			11,840	11,613	11,317	11,012			10,208		9,341	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class R-6
Account Value	$ 16,579		14,137		12,949		14,636			12,672	12,289	11,842	11,393			10,443		9,447	10,000
American High-Income Trust - Class A
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	American High-Income Trust — Class A (with sales charge)
Account Value	$ 15,384		13,170		12,110		13,740			11,943	11,628	11,247	10,857			9,985		9,065	9,627
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index [Member]
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index
Account Value	$ 12,004		10,760		10,691		12,518		10,000	12,632	11,807	10,705	10,836	10,000	10,000	10,829	10,000	10,294	10,000
Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index [Member]
Account Value [Line Items]
Line Graph and Table Measure Name	Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index
Account Value	$ 16,352		$ 14,129		$ 12,812		$ 14,923		$ 10,000	$ 13,411	$ 12,996	$ 12,219	$ 11,858	$ 10,000	$ 10,000	$ 10,891	$ 10,000	$ 9,660	$ 10,000

Shareholder Report, Average Ann

Shareholder Report, Average Annual Return (Details)

12 Months Ended

47 Months Ended

60 Months Ended

90 Months Ended

92 Months Ended

106 Months Ended

120 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

[6]

Sep. 30, 2024

[2]

Sep. 30, 2024

American High-Income Trust - Class R-5

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-5

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.21%

6.11%

5.13%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-5E

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.10%

6.01%

6.44%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-4

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-4

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.87%

5.80%

4.82%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-3

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-3

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.52%

5.48%

4.50%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-2E

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.35%

5.32%

4.38%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-2

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-2

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.02%

5.01%

4.03%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-1

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-1

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16%

4.02%

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-3

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-3

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.19%

6.92%

[3]

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-1

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17%

5.94%

4.97%

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-F-2

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.14%

6.88%

[4]

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-T

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-T (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

14.15%

5.43%

5.09%

[5]

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-E

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-E

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.57%

5.53%

4.55%

American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-C (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

14.91%

4.94%

4.35%

American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-A (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

12.67%

4.98%

4.38%

American High-Income Trust - Class F-3

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class F-32

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.27%

6.17%

5.67%

American High-Income Trust - Class F-2

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class F-2

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.15%

6.06%

5.07%

American High-Income Trust - Class F-1

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class F-1

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.80%

5.75%

4.78%

American High-Income Trust - Class T

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class T (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

14.21%

5.49%

5.15%

[7]

American High-Income Trust - Class C

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class C (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

14.97%

4.98%

4.16%

American High-Income Trust - Class R-6

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class R-6

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.27%

6.17%

5.19%

American High-Income Trust - Class A

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class A (with sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

12.46%

4.95%

4.40%

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class 529-T

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-T (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.06%

5.98%

5.45%

[5]

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-C (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

15.91%

4.94%

4.35%

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class 529-A (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.79%

5.73%

4.75%

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class T

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class T (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

17.12%

6.03%

5.51%

[7]

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class C

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class C (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

15.97%

4.98%

4.16%

Without Sales Load [Member] | American High-Income Trust - Class A

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

American High-Income Trust — Class A (without sales charge)

Average Annual Return, Percent

[1]

16.81%

5.76%

4.80%

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index [Member]

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index

Average Annual Return, Percent

[8]

11.57%

(1.18%)

[3],[4]

0.33%

1.66%

[5],[7]

1.74%

1.80%

1.84%

Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index [Member]

Average Annual Return [Line Items]

Line Graph and Table Measure Name

Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index

Average Annual Return, Percent

[8]

15.73%

5.06%

[3],[4]

4.70%

4.92%

[5],[7]

4.99%

6.07%

5.04%

[1]Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which they would have been lower.[2]Class R-5E shares were first offered on November 20, 2015.[3]Class 529-F-3 shares were first offered on October 30, 2020.[4]Class 529-F-2 shares were first offered on October 30, 2020.[5]Class 529-T shares were first offered on April 7, 2017.[6]Class F-3 shares were first offered on January 27, 2017.[7]Class T shares were first offered on April 7, 2017.[8]Results assume all distributions are reinvested. Any market index shown is unmanaged, and therefore, has no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Source(s): Bloomberg Index Services Ltd.

Shareholder Report, Holdings (D

Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details)	Sep. 30, 2024
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class A \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-6 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class C \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class T \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-1 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-2 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class F-3 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529 - A \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-C \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
C000025095 [Member] \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
C000025095 [Member] \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
C000025095 [Member] \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
C000025095 [Member] \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
C000025095 [Member] \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
C000025095 [Member] \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
C000189441 [Member] \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
C000189441 [Member] \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
C000189441 [Member] \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
C000189441 [Member] \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
C000189441 [Member] \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
C000189441 [Member] \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-1 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class 529-F-2 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
C000224587 [Member] \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
C000224587 [Member] \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
C000224587 [Member] \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
C000224587 [Member] \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
C000224587 [Member] \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
C000224587 [Member] \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-1 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-2E \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-3 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-4 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5E \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| U.S. corporate bonds, notes & loans [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	74.10%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| Corporate bonds, notes & loans of issuers outside the U.S. [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	12.26%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| Other bonds, notes & debt instruments [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.31%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| Common stocks [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	4.28%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| Other securities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.55%
American High-Income Trust - Class R-5 \| Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	8.50%	[1]

[1]Includes derivatives.