Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total	Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Balance at beginning of year at Mar. 31, 2008	$ 206,436	$ 711,655	$ (15,483)	$ 3,182		$ 1,118,813	$ 213,023
Balance at beginning of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2008	27,162,150
Balance at beginning of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2008							219,999
Changes in preferred and common stock
Issuance of common stock	65					65
Repurchase of common stock	(16,790)					(16,790)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	4,870					4,870
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (RSUs)	(1,464)					(1,464)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	920					920
Changes in retained earnings
Net income		131,739		822	132,561	132,561
Cash dividends declared
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)		(14,850)				(14,850)
Common stock		(45,938)				(45,938)
Repurchase of common stock		(93,203)				(93,203)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs		(920)				(920)
Adoption of measurement timing provisions of FASB Statement No. 158 for pensions and other postretirement benefits		(1,523)				(1,523)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustments, net of income taxes			(19,639)	(129)	(19,768)	(19,768)
Foreign currency hedge adjustment, net of income taxes			(15,803)		(15,803)	(15,803)
Funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes			(13,622)		(13,622)	(13,622)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders				(104)		(104)
Total comprehensive income					83,368
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					(693)
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation					82,675
Issuance of stock, shares	64,677
Repurchase of stock, shares	(2,227,700)
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2009	194,037	686,960	(64,547)	3,771		1,033,244	213,023
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2009	24,999,127
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2009							219,999
Changes in preferred and common stock
Issuance of common stock	1,183					1,183
Repurchase of common stock	(5,853)					(5,853)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	6,133					6,133
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (RSUs)	(888)					(888)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	389					389
Changes in retained earnings
Net income		168,397		1,948	170,345	170,345
Cash dividends declared
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)		(14,850)				(14,850)
Common stock		(45,815)				(45,815)
Repurchase of common stock		(27,090)				(27,090)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs		(389)				(389)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustments, net of income taxes			4,511	190	4,701	4,701
Foreign currency hedge adjustment, net of income taxes			13,386		13,386	13,386
Funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes			(6,017)		(6,017)	(6,017)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders				(104)		(104)
Total comprehensive income					182,415
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					(2,138)
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation					180,277
Issuance of stock, shares	69,977
Repurchase of stock, shares	(743,876)
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2010	195,001	767,213	(52,667)	5,805		1,128,375	213,023
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2010	24,325,228
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2010							219,999
Changes in preferred and common stock
Repurchase of common stock	(8,995)					(8,995)
Accrual of stock-based compensation	5,893					5,893
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (RSUs)	(724)					(724)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	433					433
Changes in retained earnings
Net income		156,565		7,985	164,550	164,550
Cash dividends declared
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock ($67.50 per share)		(14,850)				(14,850)
Common stock		(45,043)				(45,043)
Repurchase of common stock		(37,701)				(37,701)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs		(433)				(433)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Translation adjustments, net of income taxes			7,188	109	7,297	7,297
Foreign currency hedge adjustment, net of income taxes			2,961		2,961	2,961
Funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes			(2,258)		(2,258)	(2,258)
Other changes in noncontrolling interests
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders				(100)		(100)
Total comprehensive income					172,550
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					(8,094)
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation					164,456
Issuance of stock, shares	28,400
Repurchase of stock, shares	(1,113,125)
Balance at end of year at Mar. 31, 2011	$ 191,608	$ 825,751	$ (44,776)	$ 13,799		$ 1,199,405	$ 213,023
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2011	23,240,503
Balance at end of year, shares at Mar. 31, 2011							219,999