<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>664</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>632</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>174</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>18</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Shareholder's Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Shareholder's Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Shareholder's Equity (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Shareholder's Equity (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairment</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Assets Held For Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AssetsHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held For Sale</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Consolidation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/Consolidation</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Currency (Gains) Losses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLosses</Role>
      <ShortName>Currency (Gains) Losses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContracts</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Other Expense (Income)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/OtherExpenseIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense (Income)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairment</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivable</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Consolidation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/Consolidation</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Currency (Gains) Losses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLossesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Currency (Gains) Losses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLosses</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContracts</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Other Expense (Income) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/OtherExpenseIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense (Income) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/OtherExpenseIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2324301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/BusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment (Restructuring Liability) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentRestructuringLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment (Restructuring Liability) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment (Restructuring Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentRestructuringActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment (Restructuring Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Restructuring and Impairment (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring and Impairment (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/RestructuringAndImpairmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Factoring Activities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableFactoringActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Factoring Activities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccountsReceivableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406401 - Disclosure - Assets Held For Sale (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held For Sale (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AssetsHeldForSale</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Depreciation Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDepreciationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Depreciation Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Rent Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentRentExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Rent Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Future Minimum Lease Payment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentFutureMinimumLeasePaymentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Future Minimum Lease Payment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Capital Lease Obligations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentCapitalLeaseObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Capital Lease Obligations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets, Net) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets, Net) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Amortization of Intangibles) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAmortizationOfIntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Amortization of Intangibles) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Future Amortization Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Future Amortization Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Consolidation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ConsolidationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Ownership Structure and Percentage of Non-consolidated Affiliates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsOwnershipStructureAndPercentageOfNonConsolidatedAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Ownership Structure and Percentage of Non-consolidated Affiliates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Assets, Liabilities and Equity of Equity Method Affiliates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsAssetsLiabilitiesAndEquityOfEquityMethodAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Assets, Liabilities and Equity of Equity Method Affiliates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Results of Operations of Equity Method Affiliates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsResultsOfOperationsOfEquityMethodAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Results of Operations of Equity Method Affiliates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Period-end Account Balances with Non-consolidated Affiliates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsPeriodEndAccountBalancesWithNonConsolidatedAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Period-end Account Balances with Non-consolidated Affiliates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in and Advances to Non-Consolidated Affiliates and Related Party Transactions (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToNonConsolidatedAffiliatesAndRelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccruedExpensesAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Schedule of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ScheduleOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Debt (Principal Payment Requirements) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtPrincipalPaymentRequirementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Principal Payment Requirements) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtSeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Debt (Short-term Borrowings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtShortTermBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Short-term Borrowings (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412407 - Disclosure - Debt (Bank Loans) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtBankLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Bank Loans) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412408 - Disclosure - Debt (Other Long-term Debt) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtOtherLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Other Long-term Debt) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (RSUs Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationRsusActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (RSUs Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (SARs Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSarsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (SARs Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413406 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Employer Contributions to Plans) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansEmployerContributionsToPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Employer Contributions to Plans) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - (Change in Benefit Obligation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/ChangeInBenefitObligationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>(Change in Benefit Obligation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Funded Status and Amounts Recognized) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansFundedStatusAndAmountsRecognizedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Funded Status and Amounts Recognized) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414406 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Postretirement Amounts Recognized in AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansPostretirementAmountsRecognizedInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Postretirement Amounts Recognized in AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414407 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Postretirement Changes Recognized in AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansPostretirementChangesRecognizedInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Postretirement Changes Recognized in AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414408 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Pension Plan Obligations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansPensionPlanObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Pension Plan Obligations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414409 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Future Benefit Payments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Future Benefit Payments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414410 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansComponentsOfNetPeriodicBenefitCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414411 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansActuarialAssumptionsAndSensitivityAnalysisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Actuarial Assumptions and Sensitivity Analysis) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414412 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Change of One Percentage Point) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansChangeOfOnePercentagePointDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Change of One Percentage Point) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414413 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Target and Actual Allocation Percentages) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTargetAndActualAllocationPercentagesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Target and Actual Allocation Percentages) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414414 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Pension Plan Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansPensionPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Pension Plan Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414415 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/PostretirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Currency (Gains) Losses (Included in Other Expense (Income), Net) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLossesIncludedInOtherExpenseIncomeNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Currency (Gains) Losses (Included in Other Expense (Income), Net) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLossesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Currency (Gains) Losses (Included in AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLossesIncludedInAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Currency (Gains) Losses (Included in AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/CurrencyGainsLossesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>110</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>111</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Recognized on Fair Value Hedges of Metal Price Risk) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsGainLossRecognizedOnFairValueHedgesOfMetalPriceRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Recognized on Fair Value Hedges of Metal Price Risk) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>112</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Notional Amount (in kt)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsNotionalAmountInKtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Notional Amount (in kt)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>113</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Recognition) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsGainLossRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Recognition) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>114</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416406 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Impact on AOCI and Earnings) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsImpactOnAociAndEarningsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Impact on AOCI and Earnings) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>115</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R116.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416407 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Reclassification) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsGainLossReclassificationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Gain (Loss) Reclassification) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>116</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R117.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416408 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndCommodityContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>117</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R118.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components of AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossComponentsOfAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components of AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>118</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R119.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>119</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R120.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation of Fair Value Activity for Level 3) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsReconciliationOfFairValueActivityForLevel3Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation of Fair Value Activity for Level 3) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>120</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R121.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsNotRecordedAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>121</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R122.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418405 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>122</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R123.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Other Expense (Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/OtherExpenseIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Expense (Income) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/OtherExpenseIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>123</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R124.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Domestic and Foreign Components) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesDomesticAndForeignComponentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Domestic and Foreign Components) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>124</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R125.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Income Tax Provision) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxProvisionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Income Tax Provision) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>125</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R126.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Statutory Tax Rates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfStatutoryTaxRatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Statutory Tax Rates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>126</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R127.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>127</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R128.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>128</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R129.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420407 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>129</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R130.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>130</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R131.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>131</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R132.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422403 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Selected Operating Results) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationSelectedOperatingResultsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Selected Operating Results) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>132</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R133.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422404 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Income Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationIncomeReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Income Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>133</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R134.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422405 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Geographical Information - Net Sales) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationGeographicalInformationNetSalesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Geographical Information - Net Sales) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>134</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R135.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422406 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Geographical Information - Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationGeographicalInformationAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Geographical Information - Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>135</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R136.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422407 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (3 Largest Customers) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformation3LargestCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (3 Largest Customers) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>136</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R137.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422408 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Purchases - RTA) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationPurchasesRtaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographical Area, Major Customer and Major Supplier Information (Purchases - RTA) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SegmentGeographicalAreaMajorCustomerAndMajorSupplierInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>137</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R138.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>138</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R139.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423403 - Disclosure - Supplemental Information (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformationDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Information (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/SupplementalInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>139</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvl-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R140.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.novelis.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.novelis.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>140</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nvl-20170331.xml</File>
    <File>nvl-20170331.xsd</File>
    <File>nvl-20170331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nvl-20170331_def.xml</File>
    <File>nvl-20170331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nvl-20170331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
