Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2021	May 31, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-00123
Entity Registrant Name	BROWN-FORMAN CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	61-0143150
Entity Address, Address Line One	850 Dixie Highway
Entity Address, City or Town	Louisville,
Entity Address, State or Province	KY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	40210
City Area Code	502
Local Phone Number	585-1100
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Public Float	$ 23,400
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Proxy Statement of Registrant for use in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held July 22, 2021, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
Entity Central Index Key	0000014693
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Common stock, Class A, voting [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock (voting), $0.15 par value
Trading Symbol	BFA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		169,109,992
Common Stock, Class B, nonvoting [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock (nonvoting), $0.15 par value
Trading Symbol	BFB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		309,648,089
1.20% senior notes, due July 7, 2026 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.200% Notes due 2026
Trading Symbol	BF26
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
2.60% senior notes, due July 7, 2028 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.600% Notes due 2028
Trading Symbol	BF28
Security Exchange Name	NYSE