Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	May 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	WILEY JOHN & SONS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000107140
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,331.2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2016
Common Stock Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,109,204
Common Stock Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,475,140