Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConversionOfStockLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of accretion of temporary equity to its redemption value during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.27(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123596393&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustments to temporary equity resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of net income or loss attributable to temporary equity interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityNetIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Temporary Equity, Acquisitions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wba_TemporaryEquityAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	wba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Temporary Equity, Acquisitions of Non-Controlling Interests

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wba_TemporaryEquityAcquisitionsOfNonControllingInterests
Namespace Prefix:	wba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Temporary Equity, Recognition of Acquisition of Subsidiary

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wba_TemporaryEquityRecognitionOfAcquisitionOfSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	wba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wba_VillageMDMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wba_McKessonCorporationGEHEPharmaHandelMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Supplemental information - Schedule of Redeemable Non-controlling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2022	Feb. 28, 2022	Jan. 31, 2022	Nov. 24, 2021	Nov. 23, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,787	$ 319
Recognition upon acquisition of subsidiary	0	2,489
Acquisition of non-controlling interests	(2,047)	(2,047)
Redemption price adjustments	83	90
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest	(12)	(33)
Currency translation adjustments and other	2	(6)
Ending balance	$ 812	812
VillageMD
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary		$ 1,900
Outstanding equity interest percentage				63.00%	30.00%
McKesson Corporation
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Outstanding equity interest percentage			30.00%