Income Taxes - Income before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	May 31, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective tax rate on continuing operations (percent)	23.60%	24.20%
Total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest and penalties	$ 444us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits		$ 444us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	$ 506us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding related interest and penalties, amount which would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized in future periods	252		252
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions (excluding federal benefit)	167		167	167
Estimated decrease in total gross unrecognized tax benefits as a result of resolutions of global tax examinations and expiration of applicable statutes of limitations	38		38
nke_ChangeInIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	0
Tax Year 2011 \| Domestic Tax Authority
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Proposed increase in tax related to the foreign tax credit matter			$ 31

Change in Income Tax Penalties and Interest, Accrued

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Percentage of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Estimated amount of loss resulting from an adverse tax position.

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The estimated upper bound of the reasonably possible change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

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Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns.

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-Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit

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Amount accrued for interest on an underpayment of income taxes and penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return.

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The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

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