Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	May 23, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	IXYS CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000945699
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 239,661,863
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		30,924,735
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY