Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Net Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Earnings Per Share
Net earnings attributable to Woodward	$ 36,056	$ 31,745	$ 90,545	$ 78,169
Basic shares outstanding	68,793	68,489	68,785	68,428
Dilutive effect of employee stock options	1,373	1,498	1,370	1,443
Diluted shares outstanding	70,166	69,987	70,155	69,871
Basic earnings per share attributable to Woodward	$ 0.52	$ 0.46	$ 1.32	$ 1.14
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Woodward	$ 0.51	$ 0.45	$ 1.29	$ 1.12

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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+ Details

- Definition

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.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

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

+ References

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

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+ Details

- Definition

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.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

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.

+ References

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421

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+ Details