Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Changes in the Components of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Changes in the components of AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015			$ 2,044,654
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Microchip Technology	$ 2,076	$ (8,746)	(13,895)	$ (5,708)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015	2,129,381		2,129,381
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Changes in the components of AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015			11,076
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			70
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(13,965)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Microchip Technology			(13,895)
Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interest			(276)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015	(3,095)		(3,095)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
Changes in the components of AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015			14,537
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			70
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(13,965)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Microchip Technology			(13,895)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015	642		642
Minimum pension liability
Changes in the components of AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015			13
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Microchip Technology			0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015	13		13
Foreign Currency
Changes in the components of AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2015			(3,474)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Microchip Technology			0
Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interest			(276)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015	$ (3,750)		$ (3,750)