Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (1,347,456)	$ (1,357,701)
Capital expenditures	(79,982)	(77,865)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(42,428)	(39,397)
Franchise loans funded	(16,875)	(20,226)
Payments received on franchise loans	15,149	13,391
Other, net	4,877	1,524
Net cash used in investing activities	(119,259)	(122,573)
Repayments of line of credit borrowings	(230,000)	(40,000)
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings	615,000	830,000
Dividends paid	(154,866)	(150,258)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(102,152)	(7,746)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,527	28,268
Other, net	(20,126)	(28,922)
Net cash provided by financing activities	110,383	631,342
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,217)	1,792
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,358,549)	(847,140)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	1,663,678	1,117,539
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	305,129	270,399
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	273,070	557,209
Net cash used in investing activities	273,070	557,209
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(273,070)	(557,209)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(273,070)	(557,209)
H&R Block, Inc. (Guarantor) | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dividends paid	(154,866)	(150,258)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered	(102,152)	(7,746)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,527	28,268
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	254,491	129,736
Block Financial (Issuer) | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	(359,101)	(353,081)
Capital expenditures	(166)	(794)
Franchise loans funded	(16,198)	(20,080)
Payments received on franchise loans	14,834	13,058
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(18,579)	(427,473)
Other, net	(4,746)	(9,039)
Net cash used in investing activities	(24,855)	(444,328)
Repayments of line of credit borrowings	(230,000)	(40,000)
Proceeds from line of credit borrowings	615,000	830,000
Other, net	(668)	(662)
Net cash provided by financing activities	384,332	789,338
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	376	(8,071)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	4,346	12,546
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	4,722	4,475
Other Subsidiaries | Reportable entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	(988,355)	(1,004,620)
Capital expenditures	(79,816)	(77,071)
Payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(42,428)	(39,397)
Franchise loans funded	(677)	(146)
Payments received on franchise loans	315	333
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	(254,491)	(129,736)
Other, net	9,623	10,563
Net cash used in investing activities	(367,474)	(235,454)
Intercompany borrowings (payments)	18,579	427,473
Other, net	(19,458)	(28,260)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(879)	399,213
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,217)	1,792
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,358,925)	(839,069)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	1,659,332	1,104,993
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$ 300,407	$ 265,924