Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Radian Group Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000890926
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes