Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 26, 2020
Document Entity Information [Abstract]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Type	10-Q
Entity File Number	0-27618
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	Columbus McKinnon Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0001005229
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		23,898,867
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity Tax Identification Number	16-0547600
Entity Address, Address Line One	205 Crosspoint Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Getzville
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	14068
Trading Symbol	CMCO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
City Area Code	(716)
Local Phone Number	689-5400
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false