Stockholders' Equity (Equity Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Purchases of treasury stock	$ 144,510	$ 51,846	$ 44,110
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements	11,516
Unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period	1 year 8 months 12 days
Forfeiture rate, Board of Directors	0.00%
Forfeiture rate, non-Board of Directors	9.00%
2010 Authorization [Member]
Authorized repurchase amount		200,000
Repurchase period in years		3 years
Purchases of treasury stock		45,754	44,110
Purchases of treasury stock, number of shares		1,233	1,132
2013 Authorization [Member]
Authorized repurchase amount		200,000
Repurchase period in years		3 years
Purchases of treasury stock	$ 141,488
Purchases of treasury stock, number of shares	3,272
Restricted Stock Award [Member]
Shares granted, Number of Shares	24
Vesting period, in years	4 years
Service period for restricted stock award	4 years
Terms of restricted stock award	Subject to Mr. Gendron's continued employment by the Company, these shares of restricted stock will vest 100% following the end of the Company's fiscal year 2017 if a specified cumulative earnings per share ("EPS") target is met or exceeded for fiscal years 2014 through 2017. If this EPS target is not met, all shares of restricted stock will be forfeited by Mr. Gendron.The shares of restricted stock were awarded to Mr. Gendron pursuant to a form restricted stock agreement approved by Woodward's Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), which generally provides that: if the recipient of a restricted stock award is terminated from the Company for any reason other than death or disability during the restricted period, all shares of restricted stock will be immediately forfeited; if the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled prior to the recipient's termination and during the restricted period, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; similarly, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the form of restricted stock agreement) of the Company during the restricted period and prior to the recipient's termination for any reason, all restrictions will lapse and the shares of restricted stock will fully vest immediately; during the restricted period, a recipient may exercise full voting rights with respect to the shares of restricted stock; dividends on the shares of restricted stock will accrue, but will not be paid, during the restricted period; and all dividends accrued during the restricted period will be paid upon any vesting of the shares of restricted stock, without payment of interest, provided that if the shares of restricted stock are forfeited for any reason, all accrued dividends will likewise be forfeited. The form of restricted stock agreement also includes adjustment provisions in the event the Company engages in certain recapitalization or similar transactions or in the event of a change of law or regulation. Upon vesting, shares become freely transferrable