Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 25, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	TEMPUR PEDIC INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001206264
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 4,475,979,680
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		63,517,582
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 384,393	$ 325,838
Cost of sales	178,407	155,528
Gross profit	205,986	170,310
Selling and marketing expenses	83,299	64,370
General, administrative and other expenses	36,622	30,660
Operating income	86,065	75,280
Other expense, net:
Interest expense, net	(4,066)	(2,539)
Other expense, net	(441)	(603)
Total other expense	(4,507)	(3,142)
Income before income taxes	81,558	72,138
Income tax provision	25,340	23,878
Net income	$ 56,218	$ 48,260
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.70
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.68
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	63,881	68,565
Diluted (in shares)	65,684	70,871

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 56,218	$ 48,260
Other comprehensive income before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,591	7,490
Derivative instruments accounted for as hedges, net of reclassification adjustment	(449)	848
Other comprehensive income, before tax	5,142	8,338
Income tax benefit (provision) related to other comprehensive income items	176	(331)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	5,318	8,007
Comprehensive income	$ 61,536	$ 56,267

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 134,016	$ 111,367
Accounts receivable, net	152,961	142,412
Inventories	97,670	91,212
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,423	20,088
Deferred income taxes	15,834	14,391
Total Current Assets	425,904	379,470
Property, plant and equipment, net	161,000	160,502
Goodwill	213,824	213,273
Other intangible assets, net	65,261	66,491
Other non-current assets	8,471	8,904
Total Assets	874,460	828,640
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	67,622	69,936
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	70,712	76,636
Income taxes payable	28,260	20,506
Total Current Liabilities	166,594	167,078
Long-term debt	565,000	585,000
Deferred income taxes	20,105	24,227
Other non-current liabilities	22,350	21,544
Total Liabilities	774,049	797,849
Commitments and contingencies-see Note 9
Total Stockholders' Equity	100,411	30,791
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 874,460	$ 828,640

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 56,218	$ 48,260
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,690	8,341
Amortization of stock-based compensation	4,362	2,729
Amortization of deferred financing costs	353	173
Bad debt expense	(12)	670
Deferred income taxes	(5,565)	(962)
Foreign currency adjustments and other	1,097	(442)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(20,585)	(3,044)
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,558	55,725
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,638)	(5,215)
Other	23	171
Net cash used by investing activities	(6,615)	(5,044)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term revolving credit facility	31,500	11,000
Repayments of long-term revolving credit facility	(51,500)	(23,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	7,321	16,717
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation	8,739	7,953
Treasury shares repurchased	(14,912)	(61,107)
Other	(293)	0
Net cash used by financing activities	(19,145)	(48,437)
NET EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	3,851	3,493
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	22,649	5,737
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	111,367	53,623
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	134,016	59,360
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	3,716	2,234
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 14,957	$ 7,808

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Mar. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(6) Stockholders' Equity (a) Capital Stock. Tempur-Pedic International's authorized shares of capital stock are 300,000 shares of common stock and 10,000 shares of preferred stock. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of the common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. (b) Share Repurchase Programs. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company purchased 169 shares of the Company's common stock for a total of $12,346 pursuant to the authorization approved by the Company's Board of Directors in January 2012. As of March 31, 2012, the Company has $237,654 remaining under the January 2012 authorization. Share repurchases under this authorization may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases or otherwise, at times and in such amounts as management and a committee of the Board deem appropriate; these repurchases may be funded by operating cash flows and/or borrowings under our credit facility.

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(9) Commitments and Contingencies (a) Purchase Commitments. The Company enters into limited purchase commitments for the purchase of certain raw materials. Amounts committed under these programs were not significant as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding commitments of approximately $14,200 for capital expenditures related to the construction of the Company's headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. (b) Antitrust Action. On January 5, 2007, a purported class action was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division (Jacobs v. Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. and Tempur-Pedic North America, Inc., or the Antitrust Action). The Antitrust Action alleges violations of federal antitrust law arising from the pricing of Tempur-Pedic mattress products by Tempur-Pedic North America and certain distributors. The action alleges a class of all purchasers of Tempur-Pedic mattresses in the United States since January 5, 2003, and seeks damages and injunctive relief. Count Two of the complaint was dismissed by the court on June 25, 2007, based on a motion filed by the Company. Following a decision issued by the United States Supreme Court in Leegin Creative Leather Prods., Inc. v. PSKS, Inc. on June 28, 2007, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the remaining two counts of the Antitrust Action on July 10, 2007. On December 11, 2007, that motion was granted and, as a result, judgment was entered in favor of the Company and the plaintiffs' complaint was dismissed with prejudice. On December 21, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a “Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment,” which was fully briefed. On May 1, 2008, that motion was denied. Jacobs appealed the dismissal of their claims, and the parties argued the appeal before the United States Circuit Court for the Eleventh Circuit on December 11, 2008. The Court rendered an opinion favorable to the Company on December 2, 2010, affirming the trial court's refusal to allow Jacobs to alter or amend its pleadings and dismissing its claims. Jacobs has subsequently petitioned the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for an “en banc” review of the three judge panel's ruling. The Company continues to strongly believe that the Antitrust Action lacks merit, and intends to defend against the claims vigorously. Based on the findings of the court to date and an assessment of the Company's meritorious defenses, the Company believes that it is remote that it will incur a loss with respect to this matter. However, due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the Company cannot predict the outcome of the Antitrust Action at this time, and can give no assurance that these claims will not have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. (c) New York Attorney General. In December 2008, the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York, Antitrust Bureau (OAG) requested that the Company consider discontinuing its unilateral retail price policy (UPPL) in the State of New York, and informed the Company that it may bring an enforcement action against the Company under New York law if the Company chose not to do so. On March 29, 2010, the Office of the Attorney General filed suit in New York state court against the Company with respect to this matter. The complaint does not charge the Company with any violation of state or federal antitrust law; instead it claims the Company violated a 1975 New York state law which declares certain contractual provisions to be unenforceable and not actionable at law and seeks, among other things, a permanent injunction prohibiting the Company's UPPL as well as unspecified sums for restitution and disgorgement of profits. The Company responded to the complaint and also filed motions to dismiss and to obtain discovery. On September 28, 2010, the court heard various motions filed by the parties and took them under advisement. On January 14, 2011, the court denied the OAG's petition in full and granted the Company's motion to dismiss. The OAG filed an appeal on February 22, 2011. The Company believes that its UPPL complies with state and federal law and intends to continue to vigorously defend it in this matter. No claim for damages has been received by the Company. Based on the findings of the court to date and an assessment of the Company's meritorious defenses, the Company believes that it is remote that it will incur a loss with respect to this matter. However, due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time, and can give no assurance that these claims will not have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the operations of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of all such pending legal proceedings in the aggregate will not have a material adverse affect on its business, financial condition, liquidity, or operating results.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(10) Income Taxes The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 was 31.1% and 33.1%, respectively. The Company's effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% principally because of certain foreign tax rate differentials, state and local income taxes, the release of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets of certain foreign entities, foreign income currently taxable in the U.S., the production activities deduction and certain other permanent differences. The Company has not provided for U.S. federal and/or state income and foreign withholding taxes on $323,829 of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations as of March 31, 2012 because Tempur-Pedic International intends to reinvest such earnings indefinitely outside of the United States. If these earnings were to be distributed, foreign tax credits may become available under current law to reduce the resulting U.S. income tax liability. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company received an income tax assessment from the Danish Tax Authority with respect to the 2001, 2002 and 2003 tax years, an assessment with respect to the 2004 tax year during the third quarter of 2010, and an assessment with respect to the 2005 tax year during the second quarter of 2011. The tax assessments relate to the royalty paid by one of Tempur-Pedic International's U.S. subsidiaries to a Danish subsidiary and the position taken by the Danish Tax Authority could apply to subsequent years. The total tax assessment is approximately $103,050 including interest and penalties. The Company filed timely complaints with the Danish National Tax Tribunal denying the tax assessments. The National Tax Tribunal formally agreed to place the Danish tax litigation on hold pending the outcome of a Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (Bilateral APA) between the United States and the Danish Tax Authority. A Bilateral APA involves an agreement between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the taxpayer, as well as a negotiated agreement with one or more foreign competent authorities under applicable income tax treaties. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company filed the Bilateral APA with the IRS and the Danish Tax Authority. U.S. and Danish competent authorities have met to discuss the Company's Bilateral APA, and additional meetings are expected. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the proposed adjustments and will oppose the assessments in the Danish courts, as necessary. It is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change in the next twelve months. An estimate of the amount of such change cannot be made at this time. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities in the U.S. for periods prior to 2007, U.S. state and local municipalities for periods prior to 2006, and in non-U.S. jurisdictions for periods prior to 2003. Additionally, the Company is currently under examination by various tax authorities around the world. The Company anticipates it is reasonably possible an increase or decrease in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be made in the next twelve months as a result of the statute of limitations expiring and/or the examinations being concluded on these returns. However, the Company does not presently anticipate that any increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits will be material to the consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no significant changes to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Apr. 02, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventory [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 69,722			$ 65,391
Work-in-process	8,525			9,088
Raw materials and supplies	19,423			16,733
Total	97,670			91,212
Sales returns [Abstract]
Beginning balance	5,285
Amounts accrued	11,768
Returns charged to accrual	(10,920)
Ending balance	6,133
Product return period following sale, maximum (in days)	120D
Standard product warranty disclosure [Abstract]
North American sales warranty period (in years)	20Y
International sales warranty period (in years)	15Y
Period mattresses are prorated (in years)	10Y
Warranty period on pillows (in years)	2Y to 3Y
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,280
Amounts accrued	1,393
Warranties charged to accrual	(1,089)
Ending balance	4,584
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts included in accounts receivable, net	6,753			6,801
Research and Development Expenses {Abstract]
Research and development costs charged to expense	3,442	2,334
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Stock repurchase authorized amount	237,654
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity, cash paid			$ 2,000

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	5 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Domestic Line Of Credit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Foreign Line of Credit [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt, revolving credit facility	$ 585,000	$ 565,000			$ 565,000	$ 585,000
Principal borrowing capacity, maximum			770,000		745,000	745,000	25,000	25,000
Letter of credit amount outstanding									1,025
Remaining borrowing capacity			203,975
Index rate or LIBOR plus (in hundredths)					1.99%	2.05%
Line of credit facility, initiation date			2005-10-18
Line of credit facility, expiration date			2016-06-28		2016-06-28	2016-06-28	2016-06-28	2016-06-28
Revolving credit facility period (in years)					5 Y	5 Y	5 Y	5 Y
Interest rate description			The base rate of U.S. dollar-denominated loans is defined as the higher of the Bank of America prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus .50%.		interest at Base Rate or LIBOR plus applicable margin	interest at Base Rate or LIBOR plus applicable margin		interest at Base Rate or LIBOR plus applicable margin
Credit facility commitment fee, minimum (in hundredths)			0.375%
Credit facility commitment fee, maximum (in hundredths)			0.50%
Compliance with covenants			The Company was in compliance with all covenants
Interest rate swap period (in years)	4 Y
Option to increase domestic				$ 250,000

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	$ 214	$ 935
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap	3,065	2,616
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	214	935
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap	3,065	2,616
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)	3 Months Ended										3 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments (Details)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 AUD	Mar. 31, 2012 CHF	Mar. 31, 2012 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2012 JPY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2012 NOK	Mar. 31, 2012 NZD	Mar. 31, 2012 SEK	Mar. 31, 2012 SGD	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Expense [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 Interest Rate Swap [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Interest Expense [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Other Expense [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Other Expense [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] USD ($)
Interest Rate Risk [Abstract]
Term of interest rate swap (in years)	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y	4 Y
LIBOR-based interest rate	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%	LIBOR-based interest rate to 1.25%
Senior credit facility balance covered under interest rate swap contracts	$ 250,000,000
Foreign currency denomination notional amount [Abstract]
Japanese Yen					45,537
Swedish Krona								1,725
Norwegian Krone						509
Australian Dollar		302
New Zealand Dollar							219
Singapore Dollar									100
United States Dollar	896
Swiss Franc			87
Great Britain Pound				14
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability	3,065,000									3,551,000					3,065,000	2,616,000	1,890,000	1,471,000	1,175,000	1,145,000	0	935,000
Fair value of derivative asset										0													214,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI on derivative (effective portion)											(449,000)	848,000	0	0
Amount of gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)											(790,000)	(864,000)	0	0
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion)											$ 0	$ 0	$ 608,000	$ 1,249,000

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Capital stock [Abstract]
Common stock shares authorized (in shares)	300,000
Preferred stock authorized shares (in shares)	10,000
Share Repurchase Programs [Abstract]
Shares of common stock purchased (in shares)	169
Value of common stock repurchased	$ 12,346
Value of common stock authorized for repurchase by board of directors	$ 237,654

Other Items (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property plant and equipment net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 371,637	$ 362,092
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(210,637)	(201,590)
Net property, plant and equipment	161,000	160,502
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities components [Abstract]
Salary and related expenses	15,086	24,265
Advertising accrual	11,839	6,988
Accrued sales and value added taxes	10,592	8,497
Sales returns	6,133	5,285
Warranty accrual	4,584	4,280
Other	22,478	27,321
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	70,712	76,636
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Derivative instruments accounted for as hedges, net of taxes of $1,196 and $1,020, respectively	(1,869)	(1,596)
Foreign currency adjustments	(7,499)	(13,090)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,368)	(14,686)
Derivative instruments accounted for as hedges, net of taxes	1,196	1,020
Land and Building [Member]
Property plant and equipment net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	123,457	121,794
Machinery and Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures, and Other [Member]
Property plant and equipment net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	232,063	225,521
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property plant and equipment net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 16,117	$ 14,777

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Future capital expenditure commitment, Corporate headquarters building	$ 14,200

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income	$ 56,218	$ 48,260
Denominator [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per common share-weighted average shares	63,881	68,565
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Employee stock-based compensation	1,803	2,306
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share-adjusted weighted average shares (in shares)	65,684	70,871
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.70
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.68
Shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share computation as anti-dilutive (in shares)	53	31