Incentive and Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012 years	Apr. 01, 2011 years	Apr. 02, 2010 years	Mar. 27, 2009 years
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock-based awards granted under equity incentive plans	1,405,000	1,735,000	2,131,000
Adjustment to stock-based compensation	$ (2,057)	$ (3,273)	$ (2,516)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options	49,000	220,000	558,000
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance	2,136,000
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units, Scheduled Vesting [Abstract]
Scheduled vesting, current	425,000
Scheduled vesting, in two years	147,000
Scheduled vesting, in three years	145,000
Scheduled vesting, in four years	594,000
Scheduled vesting, in five years and thereafter	96,000
Scheduled vesting, total	1,407,000
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units, Schedule Of Unrecognized Compensation Cost [Abstract]
Estimated stock-based compensation expense, current	6,105
Estimated stock-based compensation expense, in two years	4,648
Estimated stock-based compensation expense, in three years	3,607
Estimated stock-based compensation expense, in four years	2,128
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, In Five Years And Thereafter	47
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance	220,000	558,000	1,306,000
Exercised	(171,000)	(338,000)	(548,000)
Expired			(200,000)
Outstanding, ending balance	49,000	220,000	558,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price, beginning of period	$ 8.44	$ 7.05	$ 9.20
Exercised, weighted average exercise price	$ 8.09	$ 6.15	$ 8.15
Expired, weighted average exercise price			$ 17.98
Weighted average exercise price, end of period	$ 9.63	$ 8.44	$ 7.05
Weighted average contractual term	1.5	1.7	1.9	3.4
Aggregate intrinsic value	789	4,115	9,252	7,909
Shareholder Value Plan, 2008 [Member]
Cash-Based Compensation, Long-Term Executive Plan [Line Items]
Performance period for cash-based incentive compensation		36-month
Cash-based incentive compensation, target awards, ratio		three
Cash-based incentive compensation, target award factor, percentage, minimum		0.10
Cash-based incentive compensation, target award factor, percentage, maximum		0.38
Change in long-term incentive based compensation due to change in estimate		2,276
Change in long-term incentive based compensation due to change in estimate, net of tax		1,405
Change In Long-Term Incentive Based Compensation Due To Change In Estimate, Per Diluted Share		$ 0.02
Accrued incentive compensation cost		10,697
Shareholder Value Plan, 2011 [Member]
Cash-Based Compensation, Long-Term Executive Plan [Line Items]
Performance period for cash-based incentive compensation	36-month
Cash-based incentive compensation, target awards, ratio	three
Cash-based incentive compensation, target award factor, percentage, minimum	0.15
Cash-based incentive compensation, target award factor, percentage, maximum	0.40
Accrued incentive compensation cost	0
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options	38,000
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance	2,136,000
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, ending balance	38,000
PSS World Medical, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation arrangement by stock-based payment award, description	On June 7, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the PSS World Medical, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”), a stock incentive plan under which equity may be granted to the Company’s officers, directors, and employees. The 2006 Plan became effective as of August 24, 2006, the date on which shareholders approved the plan. Grants under the 2006 Plan may be made in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted or deferred stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalents, performance-based cash awards, and other stock-based awards.
Stock-based compensation arrangement by stock-based payment award, number of shares available for grant	1,906,000
PSS World Medical, Inc. 2006 Incentive Plan [Member] | Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance	1,906,000
Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan, 2004 [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation arrangement by stock-based payment award, description	In addition to the 2006 Plan, the Company maintains the 2004 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan (the “2004 Directors Plan”), which permits the grant of restricted stock to the Company’s non-employee directors.
Stock-based compensation arrangement by stock-based payment award, number of shares available for grant	230,000
Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan, 2004 [Member] | Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance	230,000
Long Term Incentive Plan, 1999 [Member] | Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options	10,000
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, ending balance	10,000
Amended And Restated Directors' Stock Plan [Member] | Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options	28,000
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, ending balance	28,000
Broad Based Employee Stock Plan, 1999 [Member] | Equity Compensation Plan Not Approved By Shareholders [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options	11,000
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance	0
Stock Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, ending balance	11,000
Stock Options [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock-based awards granted under equity incentive plans	49,000	220,000	558,000
Adjustment to stock-based compensation			(580)
Adjustment to stock-based compensation, net of tax			(358)
Award vesting period (in years)	five
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock-based awards granted under equity incentive plans	773,000	830,000	969,000
Adjustment to stock-based compensation			(3,837)
Adjustment to stock-based compensation, net of tax			(2,370)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock-based awards granted under equity incentive plans	575,000	670,000	593,000
Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding stock-based awards granted under equity incentive plans	8,000	15,000	11,000
Performance-Based Awards, Performance Shares, Units [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)	five
Terms of award	The Performance Shares cliff-vest three years from the date of grant and convert to shares of common stock based on the Company’s achievement of certain cumulative earnings per share growth targets. These awards, which are denominated in terms of a target number of shares, will be forfeited if performance falls below a designated threshold level and may increase up to 250% of the target number of shares for exceptional performance. The ultimate number of shares delivered to recipients and the related compensation cost recognized as expense will be based on actual performance.
Award subject to accelerated vesting period	three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	479,000	515,000	221,000
Granted	87,000	94,000	241,000
Addition (reduction) from change in estimate	(98,000)	34,000	303,000
Vested	(162,000)	(164,000)	0
Forfeited	(5,000)	0	(250,000)
Balance, ending	301,000	479,000	515,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, Beginning of Period	$ 19.01	$ 17.98	$ 18.49
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 27.29	$ 22.23	$ 17.00
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Addition (Reduction) From Change In Estimate	$ 19.34	$ 23.41	$ 18.39
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 18.47	$ 18.52	$ 0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 25.19	$ 0	$ 17.97
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, End of Period	$ 21.48	$ 19.01	$ 17.98
Performance-Based Awards, Performance Shares, Units [Member] | Performance Estimate [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Adjustment to stock-based compensation	(1,464)		9,133
Adjustment to stock-based compensation, net of tax	$ (908)		$ 5,640
Adjustment to stock-based compensation, per diluted share	$ (0.02)		$ 0.10
Award vesting period (in years)			three
Performance-Based Awards, PARS Units [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)	five
Award subject to accelerated vesting period	three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	191,000	88,000	0
Granted	87,000	103,000	132,000
Vested	0	0	0
Forfeited	(4,000)	0	(44,000)
Balance, ending	274,000	191,000	88,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, Beginning of Period	$ 19.82	$ 17.00	$ 0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 27.29	$ 22.23	$ 17.00
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 25.19	$ 0	$ 17.00
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, End of Period	$ 22.11	$ 19.82	$ 17.00
Performance-Based Awards, PARS Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	532,000	652,000	767,000
Granted	47,000	460,000	7,000
Vested	(81,000)	(547,000)	0
Forfeited	(27,000)	(33,000)	(122,000)
Balance, ending	471,000	532,000	652,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, Beginning of Period	$ 21.34	$ 18.40	$ 18.38
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 22.55	$ 21.85	$ 21.84
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 18.47	$ 18.40	$ 0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 21.85	$ 19.11	$ 18.50
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, End of Period	$ 21.93	$ 21.34	$ 18.40
Time-Based Awards, Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	298,000	317,000	248,000
Granted	72,000	87,000	171,000
Vested	(58,000)	(91,000)	(90,000)
Forfeited	(10,000)	(15,000)	(12,000)
Balance, ending	302,000	298,000	317,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, Beginning of Period	$ 19.88	$ 19.68	$ 19.23
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 23.61	$ 20.00	$ 20.06
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 19.37	$ 19.55	$ 19.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 22.10	$ 18.42	$ 19.50
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, End of Period	$ 20.79	$ 19.88	$ 19.68