Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 45,400	$ 53,647	$ 75,144	$ 73,435
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	0	(3,687)	0	(11,061)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 45,400	$ 49,960	$ 75,144	$ 62,374
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,230,336	22,982,473	25,323,796	22,831,717
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.80	$ 2.17	$ 2.97	$ 2.73
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 45,400	$ 49,960	$ 75,144	$ 62,374
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	0	3,687	0	11,061
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	$ 45,400	$ 53,647	$ 75,144	$ 73,435
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,230,336	22,982,473	25,323,796	22,831,717
Convertible perpetual preferred stock	0	4,693,155	0	4,816,904
Employee share-based awards	230,073	320,955	222,274	318,594
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	25,460,409	27,996,583	25,546,070	27,967,215
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.78	$ 1.92	$ 2.94	$ 2.63