Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share Attributable to Microchip Technology Stockholders (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ (109,225)	$ 130,667
Weighted average common shares outstanding	214,345,000	202,232,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs	0	3,392,000
Dilutive effect of 2037 junior subordinated convertible debentures	0	11,142,772
Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding	214,345,000	216,767,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (0.51)	$ 0.65
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ (0.51)	$ 0.60
Number of antidilutive option shares (in shares)	4,159,273	0
Junior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2037
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted average conversion price per share used in calculating dilutive effect of convertible debt (amount per share)	$ 24.23	$ 25.01
Number of antidilutive option shares (in shares)	12,165,812
Senior Subordinated Convertible Debenture Due 2025 [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted average conversion price per share used in calculating dilutive effect of convertible debt (amount per share)	$ 65.82	$ 67.95