Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (627,691)	$ (648,457)
Capital expenditures	(66,422)	(56,750)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(24,549)	(27,522)
Franchise loans funded	(8,915)	(10,939)
Payments received on franchise loans	11,689	10,322
Other, net	4,993	5,474
Net cash used in investing activities	(83,204)	(79,415)
Dividends paid	(103,484)	(100,082)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(102,096)	(7,581)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,746	27,522
Other, net	(22,434)	(26,717)
Net cash used in financing activities	(226,268)	(106,858)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	(3,209)	(1,147)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(940,372)	(835,877)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	1,663,678	1,117,539
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	723,306	281,662
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	183,015	59,978
Net cash used in investing activities	183,015	59,978
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(183,015)	(59,978)
Net cash used in financing activities	(183,015)	(59,978)
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dividends paid	(103,484)	(100,082)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(102,096)	(7,581)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,746	27,522
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	203,834	80,141
Block Financial (Issuer) | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	(22,827)	(17,827)
Capital expenditures	(164)	(10)
Franchise loans funded	(8,740)	(10,885)
Payments received on franchise loans	11,442	10,077
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	20,819	20,163
Other, net	209	(998)
Net cash used in investing activities	23,566	18,347
Other, net	(668)	(662)
Net cash used in financing activities	(668)	(662)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	71	(142)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	4,346	12,546
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	4,417	12,404
Other Subsidiaries | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	(604,864)	(630,630)
Capital expenditures	(66,258)	(56,740)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(24,549)	(27,522)
Franchise loans funded	(175)	(54)
Payments received on franchise loans	247	245
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(203,834)	(80,141)
Other, net	4,784	6,472
Net cash used in investing activities	(289,785)	(157,740)
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(20,819)	(20,163)
Other, net	(21,766)	(26,055)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,585)	(46,218)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	(3,209)	(1,147)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(940,443)	(835,735)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	1,659,332	1,104,993
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 718,889	$ 269,258