Quarterly Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Fee revenue	$ 399,960	$ 344,158	$ 280,600	$ 267,394	$ 271,717	$ 249,545	$ 255,702	$ 251,188	$ 1,292,112	$ 1,028,152	$ 960,301
Operating income (loss)	4,842	(14,067)	29,013	32,904	28,092	32,927	34,416	18,593	52,692	114,028	91,608
Net income (loss)	6,375	(15,995)	17,971	23,082	25,482	22,939	25,403	14,533	31,433	88,357	72,691
Net income (loss) attributable to Korn/Ferry International	$ 5,855	$ (15,995)	$ 17,971	$ 23,082	$ 25,482	$ 22,939	$ 25,403	$ 14,533	$ 30,913	$ 88,357	$ 72,691
Basic	$ 0.10	$ (0.30)	$ 0.36	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 0.52	$ 0.30	$ 0.58	$ 1.78	$ 1.51
Diluted	$ 0.10	$ (0.30)	$ 0.35	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 0.29	$ 0.58	$ 1.76	$ 1.48