Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Assumptions Used in Estimate of Fair Value of Stock Option Awards) (Details) - Stock Options [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average exercise price per share	$ 122.88	$ 127.84	$ 82.46	$ 104.91
Weighted-average grant date market value of Woodward stock	$ 122.88	$ 127.84	$ 82.46	$ 104.91
Expected term (years)		6 years 6 months
Estimated volatility		25.70%
Estimated dividend yield		0.90%
Risk-free interest rate		1.70%
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	6 years 6 months		6 years 6 months	6 years 4 months 24 days
Estimated volatility	33.90%		33.30%	25.70%
Estimated dividend yield	0.50%		0.30%	0.60%
Risk-free interest rate	0.60%		0.40%	1.60%
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	8 years 8 months 12 days		8 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 8 months 12 days
Estimated volatility	36.20%		36.20%	30.10%
Estimated dividend yield	0.60%		0.60%	0.90%
Risk-free interest rate	1.10%		1.10%	1.70%