XML 13 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
 6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2017
Nov. 30, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name WILEY JOHN & SONS, INC.  
Entity Central Index Key 0000107140  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --04-30  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2017  
Common Stock Class A [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   47,743,263
Common Stock Class B [Member]    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   9,167,393