Common Stock and Stock-Based Compensation - Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Common Stock and Stock-based Compensation [Abstract]
Accelerated stock option expense	$ 22	$ 17	$ 12

The accelerated portion of the stock option expense that is recorded for employees eligible for accelerated stock option vesting based on plan provisions.

No definition available.

Name:	nke_CompensationExpenseRelatedToAcceleratedStockOption
Namespace Prefix:	nke_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration