Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	APPLIED MICRO CIRCUITS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000711065
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,672,907