Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income for basic and diluted earnings per share available to common shareholders Net income Net income Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for (recovery of) income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Investment income, net Investment Income, Net Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Litigation Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, marketing and administration Research and Development Expense Research and development Gross margin Gross Profit Assets [Abstract] Asset Total Assets Assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income tax asset - long term Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Net Book Value Property, plant and equipment, net Long-term Investments Long-term investments Assets, Current Total Current Assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred income tax asset Deferred income tax asset - current Other Assets, Current Other current assets Inventory, Net Inventories Inventories Other receivables Other Receivables Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total Shareholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Treasury stock February 26, 2011 - 2,752,890 (February 27, 2010 - 1,458,950) Treasury Stock, Value Treasury Stock, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Beginning Balance Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Total Liabilities Liabilities Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income tax liability - long-term Deferred income tax liability Liabilities, Current Total Current Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred income tax liability - current Deferred income tax liability Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenue Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities total Accrued liabilities Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Cash flows from financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the year Effect of foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Tax benefits (deficiencies) related to stock-based compensation Issuance of common shares Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Acquisition of intangible assets Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisition of property, plant and equipment Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Net changes in working capital items Share-based Compensation Stock-based compensation Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock Outstanding, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock Outstanding, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury stock Inventories [Abstract] Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment, net [Abstract] Property, plant and equipment Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Provision for Income Taxes INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Product Warranty [Abstract] PRODUCT WARRANTY Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Supplemental Information [Abstract] SEGMENT DISCLOSURES Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of debt Other Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Income taxes payable Other Tax Expense (Benefit) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Net Book Value Intangible assets, net Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recently Issued Pronouncements [Abstract] Recently Issued Pronouncements [Abstract] Capital Stock Capital Stock [Abstract] Capital Stock [Text Block] CAPITAL STOCK Disclosure and information regarding share capital and stock-based compensation. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Disclosures [Abstract] Segment Disclosures [Abstract] Segment Disclosures. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Components of comprehensive income Comprehensive income: Shares issued Abstract Shares issued: Shares issued. Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Revenue Service And Software Service and software Revenue recognized during the period from services and software. Service revenues are generated from billings to the subscriber account base. Software revenue includes fees from licensing BlackBerry Enterprise Server software, client access licenses, maintenance and upgrades to software and technical support. Cost Of Sales Devices And Other Hardware and other Cost of sales recognized during the period from hardware sales of devices and other revenue which consists of the sale of accessories, repair and maintenance programs and non-recurring engineering services. Cost Of Sales Service And Software Service and software Cost of Sales recognized during the period from services and software. Service revenues are generated from billings to the subscriber account base. Software revenue includes fees from licensing BlackBerry Enterprise Server software, client access licenses, maintenance and upgrades to software and technical support. Adoption of Accounting Policies [Abstract] Adoption of Accounting Policies [Abstract] Adoption of Accounting Policies. Revenues Total Revenue Total cost of sales Cost of Revenue Revenue Devices And Other Hardware and other Revenue recognized during the period from hardware sales of devices and other revenue which consists of the sale of accessories, repair and maintenance programs and non-recurring engineering services. Payments to acquire long-term marketable securities and other investments Acquisition of long-term investments The cash outflow associated with the purchase by the entity of long-term marketable securities (trading, held-to-maturity, or available-for-sale) and other investments during the period. Proceeds from sale and maturity of long-term marketable securities and other investments Proceeds on sale or maturity of long-term investments The cash inflow associated with the aggregate amount received by the entity through sale or maturity of long-term marketable securities (trading, held-to-maturity, or available-for-sale) and other investments during the period. Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Purchase of Common Stock by a Trustee to be Accounted for as Treasury Stock, Total Consideration Purchase of Common Stock by a Trustee to be Accounted for as Treasury Stock, Total Consideration Purchase of treasury stock Common shares repurchased Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Amortization Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred shares, authorized unlimited number of non-voting, cumulative, redeemable and retractable. Common Stock, Value, Issued Capital Stock Outstanding, Ending Balance Capital Stock Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common shares, authorized unlimited number of non-voting, redeemable, retractable Class A common shares and unlimited number of voting common shares. Issued - 523,868,644 voting common shares (February 27, 2010 - 557,328,394) Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value Common shares repurchased Common shares repurchased Aggregate cost of common shares repurchased and cancelled RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures Abstract. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Information Disclosures Cash Flow And Other [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Supplemental information regarding the cash flows from net changes in working capital, cash flow information related to interest and income taxes paid, accrued liabilities information and other additional information. Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments Abstract. Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Capital Stock Outstanding, Shares, Ending Balance Capital Stock Outstanding, Shares, Beginning Balance Capital stock, shares issued Recently Issued Pronouncements [Text Block] RECENTLY ISSUED PRONOUNCEMENTS Recently Issued Pronouncements. Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Abstract] Cash, Cash Equivalents And Investments. Cash, Cash Equivalents And Investments [Text Block] CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS Cash, Cash Equivalents And Investments. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Use Of Estimates Policy [Text Block] Use of estimates Use of estimates. Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Text Block] Foreign currency translation Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Text Block] Cash and cash equivalents Investment, Policy [Text Block] Investments Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Derivative financial instruments Inventory, Policy [Text Block] Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Text Block] Property, plant and equipment, net Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Text Block] Impairment of long-lived assets Revenue Recognition, Policy [Text Block] Revenue recognition Income Tax, Policy [Text Block] Income taxes Research, Development, and Computer Software, Policy [Text Block] Research and development Comprehensive Income Loss Policy [Text Block] Comprehensive income Comprehensive income (loss). Earnings Per Share, Policy [Text Block] Earnings per share Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Text Block] Stock-based compensation plans Advertising Costs, Policy [Text Block] Advertising costs Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Abstract] Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Research In Motion Limited And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Textuals Abstract Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Research in Motion Limited and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textuals) [Abstract] Fiscal Period Fiscal year period range Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Equity Method Investments Equity method investments Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract] Intangible assets Rates and methods of Amortization Amortization Of Intangible Assets Abstract Amortization of Intangible assets Amortization of Intangible assets. Fair Value Measurements Policy [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Describes the Company's accounting policy for determining the fair value of its assets and liabilities. Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Property, plant and equipment Buildings Leaseholds And Other [Member] Buildings Leaseholds and Other [Member] Buildings Leaseholds And Other. Manufacturing Equipment Research And Development Equipment And Tooling [Member] Manufacturing Equipment Research And Development Equipment and Tooling [Member] Manufacturing equipment, research and development equipment, and tooling Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Amortization Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived Asset held for sale (land and Building) Technology Equipment [Member] BlackBerry operations and other information technology [Member] Licensing Agreements [Member] Licenses [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Cost Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Amortization Future Amortization Expense, Year One 2012 Future Amortization Expense, Year Two 2013 Future Amortization Expense, Year Three 2014 Future Amortization Expense, Year Four 2015 Future Amortization Expense, Year Five 2016 Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life Weighted-average remaining useful life of acquired technology Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Patents [Member] Patents [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation And Preparation [Text Block] Basis of presentation and preparation Basis of presentation and preparation. Receivables, Policy [Text Block] Accounts receivable, net Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible assets, net Liquid Investments Maturity Period Maximum Liquid Investments Maturity Period Maximum Liquid Investments Maturity Period Maximum. Short Term Investments Maturity Period Maximum Maturity period of short term investments Short term investments Maturity period Maximum. Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions Percentage Minimum Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions Percentage Minimum. Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions Percentage Minimum Construction in Progress, Gross Carrying amount of assets under construction Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Amortization