Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Jan. 23, 2017	May 31, 2016
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	OMNOVA SOLUTIONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001090061
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,935,050
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 297,575,104