CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement
Net sales	$ 2,147,036		$ 1,931,217		$ 1,581,623
Cost of sales (1)	917,472	[1]	802,474	[1]	743,164	[1]
Gross profit	1,229,564		1,128,743		838,459
Operating expenses:
Research and development (1)	349,543	[1]	305,043	[1]	254,723	[1]
Selling, general and administrative (1)	274,815	[1]	267,278	[1]	261,471	[1]
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	176,746		94,534		111,537
Special charges, net	2,840		3,024		32,175
Total operating expenses	803,944		669,879		659,906
Operating income	425,620		458,864		178,553
Losses on equity method investments	(317)		(177)		(617)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	19,527		16,485		15,560
Interest expense	(62,034)		(48,716)		(40,915)
Loss on retirement of convertible debentures	(50,631)		0		0
Other income (expense), net	13,742		5,898		(404)
Income before income taxes	345,907		432,354		152,177
Income tax (benefit) provision	(19,418)		37,073		24,788
Net income	365,325		395,281		127,389
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,684		0		0
Net income attributable to Microchip Technology	$ 369,009		$ 395,281		$ 127,389
Basic net income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders	$ 1.84		$ 1.99		$ 0.65
Diluted net income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders	$ 1.65		$ 1.82		$ 0.62
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.425		$ 1.417		$ 1.406
Basic common shares outstanding	200,937		198,291		194,595
Diluted common shares outstanding	223,561		217,630		205,776

[1] Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:Cost of sales 9,010 7,340 8,234Research and development 28,164 24,554 22,178Selling, general and administrative 21,422 21,893 27,603