Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000039092
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	6,799,444