Represents the minimum price as a percentage of the fair market value, at which options will be granted.

No definition available.

Name:	lm_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardGrantedPriceAsPercentageOfFairMarketValueMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	lm_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the high end of period range over which options are exercisable under employee stock plan from the date of grant of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lm_ShareBasedCompensationOptionExercisablePeriodFromDateOfGrantHighEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	lm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the low end of period range over which options are exercisable under employee stock plan from the date of grant of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lm_ShareBasedCompensationOptionExercisablePeriodFromDateOfGrantLowEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	lm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the high end of period range over which options will expire under employee stock plan from the date of grant of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lm_ShareBasedCompensationOptionExpirationPeriodFromDateOfGrantHighEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	lm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the low end of period range over which options will expire under employee stock plan from the date of grant of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lm_ShareBasedCompensationOptionExpirationPeriodFromDateOfGrantLowEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	lm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 64

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section S99

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (Legg Mason Group, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Legg Mason Group
Stock based compensation disclosure
Compensation expense relating to stock options	$ 2,504	$ 3,511	$ 8,407	$ 11,192
Shares available for issuance under equity incentive plan (in shares)	10,876		10,876
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Granted Price as Percentage of Fair Market Value Minimum	100.00%
Share-based Compensation Option Exercisable Period from Date of Grant Low End of Range	4
Share-based Compensation Option Exercisable Period from Date of Grant, High End of Range	5
Share-based Compensation Option Expiration Period from Date of Grant, Low End of Range	8
Share-based Compensation Option Expiration Period from Date of Grant, High End of Range	10