Derivative Instruments (Details)	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Percentage of company sales denominated in U.S. dollars (in hundredths)	99.00%

Name:

mchp_PercentageOfCompanySalesDenominatedInUsDollars

Namespace Prefix:

mchp

Data Type:

us-types:percentItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration