Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 02, 2016
Document 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, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		214,427,037
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes