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Operating loss carryforwards (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]    
Capital loss carryforward $ 4,582,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards $ 0us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards
Capital loss carryforward, expiration date Mar. 31, 2020  
Capital loss carryforward, valuation allowance 4,600,000mchp_Capitallosscarryforwardvaluationallowance  
Foreign Tax Authority and Federal and State Jurisdiction [Member]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards 162,900,000us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= mchp_ForeignTaxAuthorityandFederalandStateJurisdictionMember
 
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance $ 52,600,000us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsValuationAllowance
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= mchp_ForeignTaxAuthorityandFederalandStateJurisdictionMember
 
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority and Federal and State Jurisdiction [Member]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Mar. 31, 2016  
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority and Federal and State Jurisdiction [Member]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]    
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Mar. 31, 2035