Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 31,361	$ 28,135	$ 31,446	$ 13,179	$ 30,518	$ 45,400	$ 26,167	$ 3,577	$ 104,121	$ 105,662	$ 106,304
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock									0	0	(11,061)
Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value Retained Earnings									0	0	(74,353)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share									$ 104,121	$ 105,662	$ 20,890
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding									25,129,192	25,274,975	23,433,860
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.25	$ 1.12	$ 1.25	$ 0.53	$ 1.21	$ 1.80	$ 1.03	$ 0.14	$ 4.14	$ 4.18	$ 0.89
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of basic earnings per share									$ 104,121	$ 105,662	$ 20,890
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding									25,129,192	25,274,975	23,433,860
Effect of dilutive securities (if conversion or exercise assumed) Employee share-based awards									201,245	233,169	336,228
Denominator for diluted earnings per share									25,330,437	25,508,144	23,770,088
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.24	$ 1.11	$ 1.24	$ 0.52	$ 1.20	$ 1.78	$ 1.02	$ 0.14	$ 4.11	$ 4.14	$ 0.88