Income Per Share Attributable to Methode Shareholders (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2013	Jan. 26, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of tax									$ 40,738	$ 8,383	$ 18,845
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	0	655
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC.	$ 10,161	$ 3,325	$ 23,363	$ 3,889	$ 5,769	$ 809	$ 311	$ 1,494	$ 40,738	$ 8,383	$ 19,500
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares									37,406,386	37,366,505	37,128,157
Dilutive potential common shares - employee and director stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units									480,240	225,475	710,511
Denominator for diluted earnings per share adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions									37,886,626	37,591,980	37,838,668
Continuing operations									$ 1.09	$ 0.22	$ 0.51
Discontinued operations									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Basic income per share	$ 0.28	$ 0.09	$ 0.62	$ 0.10					$ 1.09	$ 0.22	$ 0.53
Continuing operations									$ 1.08	$ 0.22	$ 0.50
Discontinued operations									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Diluted income per share	$ 0.27	$ 0.09	$ 0.62	$ 0.10					$ 1.08	$ 0.22	$ 0.52
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS									297,585	834,412	135,990