Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 29, 2016
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, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		83,537,389