Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Accelerated stock option expense	$ 4	$ 3	$ 12	$ 9

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