Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	Jun. 17, 2020	Oct. 26, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	AeroVironment Inc
Entity File Number	001-33261
Entity Central Index Key	0001368622
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2020
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2705790
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	AVAV
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Address, Address Line One	900 Innovators Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Simi Valley
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	93065
City Area Code	(805)
Local Phone Number	520-8350
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,221.7
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,063,602
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false