Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Jun. 11, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 01, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	EXAR CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000753568
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-01
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		45,496,745
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 104.1