Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 26,167	$ 25,264	$ 29,744	$ 19,788
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	0	(3,687)	0	(7,374)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 26,167	$ 21,577	$ 29,744	$ 12,414
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,334,661	22,777,394	25,370,783	22,755,927
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.03	$ 0.95	$ 1.17	$ 0.55
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 26,167	$ 21,577	$ 29,744	$ 12,414
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	0	3,687	0	0
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	$ 26,167	$ 25,264	$ 29,744	$ 12,414
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	25,334,661	22,777,394	25,370,783	22,755,927
Convertible perpetual preferred stock	0	4,883,372	0	0
Employee share-based awards	211,885	307,390	218,375	317,414
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	25,546,546	27,968,156	25,589,158	23,073,341
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.02	$ 0.90	$ 1.16	$ 0.54

The after-tax amount of any dividends on convertible preferred stock.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities, and addition from assumption of issuance of common shares for dilutive potential common shares; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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The amount of preferred stock dividends that is an adjustment to net income apportioned to common stockholders.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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