Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Describes the continual or periodic assessment of the probability of future recovery of regulatory assets.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 40
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499898&loc=d3e44174-110380

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77907324&loc=d3e43603-110378

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetRecoveryAssessments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are not expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle if longer.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Remaining balance of regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery is provided. In some cases, a regulator may permit an enterprise to include a cost that would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise as an allowable cost over a period of time by amortizing that cost for rate-making purposes, but the regulator does not include the unrecovered amount in the rate base.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82849221&loc=d3e44360-110383

Name:	us-gaap_RemainingAmountsOfRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_AssetRecoverableGasCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_RenewableEnergyProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_EnvironmentalRestorationCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_LossOnReacquiredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=mdu_CostsRelatedToIdentifyingGenerationDevelopmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: