Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	May 16, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES
Entity Central Index Key	0000813781
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		79,324,489
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 236,974,931