| Document and Entity Information | May 21, 2020 |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | May 21, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Brown-Forman Corporation |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000014693 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity File Number | 001-00123 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 61-0143150 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 850 Dixie Highway, |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Louisville, |
| Entity Address, State or Province | KY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 40210 |
| City Area Code | (502) |
| Local Phone Number | 585-1100 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --04-30 |
| Common Class A [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Class A Common Stock (voting), $0.15 par value |
| Trading Symbol | BFA |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Class B Common Stock (nonvoting), $0.15 par value |
| Trading Symbol | BFB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| One Point Two Percent Notes Due in Fiscal Two Thousand Twenty Seven [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 1.200% Notes due 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | BF26 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Two Point Six Percent Notes Due in Fiscal Two Thousand Twenty Nine [Member] | |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 2.600% Notes due 2028 |
| Trading Symbol | BF28 |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
