Change in Parent Ownership (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders	$ 67,355	$ 61,211	$ 64,899	$ 130,667	$ 99,402	$ 86,057	$ 93,641	$ 89,909	$ 324,132	$ 369,009	$ 395,281
(Decrease) increase in paid-in capital for purchase of additional interests									(275)	(591)
Parent [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders									324,132	369,009
(Decrease) increase in paid-in capital for purchase of additional interests									(1,611)	345
Increase in paid-in capital for converted stock options									0	1,094
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest									(1,611)	1,439
Change from net income attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest									$ 322,521	$ 370,448