Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 28, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000726514
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-29
Entity Well-know Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,018,232