Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Basic Earnings Per Share
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$	132,750		$	92,057		$	156,565
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	(14,850		)	(14,850		)	(14,850		)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share	117,900			77,207			141,715
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	23,355			23,228			23,859
Basic earnings per share	$	5.05		$	3.32		$	5.94
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$	117,900		$	77,207		$	141,715
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	14,850			14,850			14,850
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	132,750			92,057			156,565
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	23,355			23,228			23,859
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed)
Convertible perpetual preferred stock	4,797			4,772			4,750
Employee share-based awards	326			339			279
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	28,478			28,339			28,888
Diluted earnings per share	$	4.66		$	3.25		$	5.42

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Potentially dilutive securities (shares in thousands)	169		348		623
Weighted-average exercise price	$	62.66	$	56.75	$	53.44