Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. Furthermore, when testing assets for impairment in future periods, if management uses different assumptions or if different conditions occur, impairment charges may result.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when the four revenue recognition criteria are met, as follows: Product sales: Revenue is recognized upon shipment of the product. Evidence of an arrangement is typically in the form of a c ustomer purchase order. Custody is transferred upon shipment (FOB Shipping Point). Prices are fixed at the time of order and no price protections or variables are offered. Collectability is reasonably assured via our customer credit and review processes. Services: Revenue is recognized upon completion of the work/services to be performed. Evidence of an arrangement is typically in the form of a contract and/or a customer purchase order. Custody is transferred upon completion and acceptance of the service or installation process. Prices are fixed at the time of order and no price protections or variables are offered. Collectability is reasonably assured via our customer credit and review processes.
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Shipping and handling Payments by customers to us for shipping and handling costs are included in revenues on the consolidated statements of income, while our expense is included in cost of revenues. Shipping and handling for inventory and materials purchased by us is included as a component of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, and in cost of revenues when the product is sold.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]	Unearned Revenues Certain of our products have associated annual service contracts whereby we provide repair, technical support and various other analytical or maintenance services. In the event that these contracts are paid up front by the customer, the associated amounts are deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the service period.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accrued Warranty Expense We provide limited product warranty on our products and, accordingly, accrue an estimate of the related warranty expense at the time of sale.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash Equivalents We classify time deposits and other investments that are highly liquid and have maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase as cash equivalents.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable We record trade accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect any loss anticipated on the trade accounts receivable balances and is charged to the provision for doubtful accounts. We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, the level of past-due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and our relationships with, and the economic status of, our customers.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of accounts receivable. For the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, no individual customer represented more than 10 percent of our revenues or more than 10 percent of our accounts receivable balance. Approximately 63 percent and 37 percent of our sales for the year ended March 31, 2016 were to customers located in the United States and foreign countries, respectively.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, using the weighted average method to determine cost. We evaluate labor and overhead costs annually, unless specific circumstances necessitate a mid-year evaluation. Our work in process and finished goods inventory includes raw materials, labor and overhead, which are estimated based on trailing twelve months of expense and standard labor hours for each product. Our biological indicator inventory is tracked by lot number, thus it is generally based on actual hours. We monitor inventory cost compared to selling price in order to determine if a lower of cost or market reserve is necessary. At year end we perform a complete physical inventory observation. Throughout the year, we estimate and maintain an inventory reserve, as needed, for such matters as obsolete inventory, shrink and scrap.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance costs that do not improve service potential or extend the economic life are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of our assets, which are reviewed periodically and generally have the following ranges: buildings: 40 years or less; manufacturing equipment: seven years or less; and computer equipment: three years or less. Land is not depreciated and construction in progress is not depreciated until placed in service.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Intangible Assets We classify intangible assets into three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization, (2) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization and (3) goodwill. We determine the useful lives of our identifiable intangible assets after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Factors we consider when determining useful lives include the contractual term of any agreement related to the asset, the historical performance of the asset, our long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations which could impact the useful life of the asset and other economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions. Intangible assets that are deemed to have definite lives are amortized, primarily on a straight-line basis, over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to sixteen years (See Note 5). When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable, management assesses the recoverability of the carrying value by preparing estimates of revenues and the resulting gross profit and cash flows. These estimated future cash flows are consistent with those we use in our internal planning. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds the fair value. We use a variety of methodologies to determine the fair value of these assets, including discounted cash flow models, which are consistent with the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. We test intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives, including trademarks and goodwill, for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired. We perform these annual impairment reviews as of the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. We use a variety of methodologies in conducting impairment assessments of indefinite-lived intangible assets, including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow models, which are based on the assumptions we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, prior to completing the impairment test described above. We must assess whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that this is the case, we must perform the testing described above. Otherwise, there is no requirement to perform any further assessment. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments. Our operating segments consist of our Instruments, Continuous Monitoring, Biological Indicators and Cold Chain. These operating segments are consistent with the way management runs our business. Our Instruments operating segment is subdivided into smaller business units. These business units are also our reporting units. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit or units that benefit from the synergies arising from each business combination. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process, if necessary. The first step is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We typically use discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with those we believe hypothetical marketplace participants would use. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed in order to determine the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill prior to completing the two-step process described above to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill and other intangible assets. If we conclude that this is the case, we must perform the two-step process. Otherwise, there is no requirement to perform any further assessment.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research & Development Costs Internal costs related to research and development efforts on existing or potential products are expensed as incurred. The costs of intangible assets that are purchased from others for use in research and development activities, and also have alternative future benefit, are capitalized and amortized over their expected useful life. Under certain agreements, we may receive advance payments from customers to perform research and development on their behalf. These payments are recovered by the customer through lower product prices and as such, are initially recorded as unearned revenues in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As product is sold, this liability is reduced through revenues on the consolidated statements of income.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based Compensation Equity classified stock-based compensation is measured at fair value, based on the closing stock price at grant date, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We recognize expense on a straight-line basis over the service period, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, resulting in a compensation cost for only those shares expected to vest. We do not have any liability classified stock-based compensation. We allocate stock-based compensation expense to cost of revenues and general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amount of our assets and liabilities. We monitor our deferred tax assets and evaluate the need for a valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that we believe do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. We also evaluate whether we have any uncertain tax positions and record a reserve if we believe it is more-likely-than-not our position would not prevail with the applicable tax authorities. Any penalties and interest are included in other expense, net on the consolidated statements of income.
Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration Liability The acquisition related contingent consideration liability consists of estimated amounts due under various acquisition agreements and is typically based upon either revenues growth or specified profitability growth metrics. At each reporting period, we evaluate the expected future payments and the associated discount rate to determine the fair value of the contingent consideration. These amounts represent our best estimate of the amounts which will ultimately be paid. The discount rate represents our cost of borrowing at the reporting date that the fair value calculation is being performed. Changes in the fair value of the acquisition related contingent consideration is included in other (expense) income, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of net income.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Measurements Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt. The carrying value of these financial instruments (other than acquisition related contingent consideration liabilities, see above) is considered to be representative of their fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Our debt has a variable interest rate, so the carrying amount approximates fair value because interest rates on these instruments approximate the interest rate on debt with similar terms available to us.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) , as part of its simplification initiative, which affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. The ASU was effective for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 using either the prospective, retrospective or modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. As permitted within the amendment, we elected to early adopt and prospectively apply the provisions of this amendment as of April 1, 2015. The adoption of this ASU decreased income tax expense by $860,000 for the year ended March 31, 2016. In December 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ ASU 2015-17” ). ASU 2015-17 simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The standard is effective for our fiscal year (and interim periods within that year) ending March 31, 2018. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (Topic 805) , which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement-period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified which eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements. The ASU requires disclosure of the nature and amount of measurement-period adjustments as well as information with respect to the portion of the adjustments recorded in current-period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustments to provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. Due to the historical nature and volume of our acquisitions, we elected to early adopt this ASU and there was no impact to our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which impacts virtually all aspects of an entity’ s revenue recognition. The core principle of the new standard is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Companies can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative effective adjustment as of the date of adoption. The new standard is effective for our fiscal year (and interim periods within that year) ending March 31, 2019. We are currently evaluating when to adopt the new standard, the impacts of adoption and the implementation approach to be used.