Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000039092
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	6,799,444