The after-tax amount of any dividends on convertible preferred stock.

Name:	us-gaap_ConvertiblePreferredDividendsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=32703322&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.23)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 18

-Article 7

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 21

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 18

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 21

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1377-109256

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasicAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 16

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1505-109256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1377-109256

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of preferred stock dividends that is an adjustment to net income apportioned to common stockholders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1448-109256

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasicAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Stock repurchased and retired during period value retained earnings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	uvv_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValueRetainedEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	uvv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 45,827us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 53,039us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 15,025us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 717us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 26,671us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 38,585us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 25,444us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 58,309us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 114,608us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 149,009us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 132,750us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock									(14,824)	(14,850)	(14,850)
Less: Cost in excess of carrying value on repurchases of convertible perpetual preferred stock									36	0	0
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	42,122	49,309	11,312	(2,995)	22,958	34,873	21,731	54,597	99,748	134,159	117,900
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding									23,035,920	23,238,978	23,354,793
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.86us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 2.13us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.49us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.13)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.99us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.50us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.94us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 2.34us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 4.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 5.77us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 5.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	42,122	49,309	11,312	(2,995)	22,958	34,873	21,731	54,597	99,748	134,159	117,900
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)									14,824	14,850	14,850
Add: Cost in excess of carrying value on repurchases of convertible perpetual preferred stock									(36)	0	0
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share									$ 114,608	$ 149,009	$ 132,750
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding									23,035,920	23,238,978	23,354,793
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Convertible perpetual preferred stock									4,843,309	4,821,557	4,796,813
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Employee share-based awards									342,035	331,498	326,452
Denominator for diluted earnings per share									28,221,264	28,392,033	28,478,058
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.64us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.87us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.48us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.13)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.94us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.36us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.90us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 2.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 4.06us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 5.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 4.66us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted