Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2011	Aug. 27, 2011	May 28, 2011	Feb. 26, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010	Aug. 28, 2010	May 29, 2010	Feb. 27, 2010	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010	Nov. 28, 2009
Revenue Recognition Rebates [Abstract]
Rebates									$ 17,427	$ 20,016	$ 17,377
Inventories - LIFO [Abstract]
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	22.00%								22.00%
Liquidations of LIFO layers									273	1,349	290
Investments [Abstract]
Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts	11,107								11,107
Cost method investments	3,571				3,579				3,571	3,579
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized interest costs									114	240	149
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Postemployment liability					2,534					2,534
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation liability	1,400				1,369				1,400	1,369
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Line Items]
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	26,408	23,220	25,126	14,351	21,936	18,978	11,011	18,952	89,105	70,877	83,654
Weighted-average common shares - basic	48,937,000	49,000,000	49,021,000	49,006,000	48,740,000	48,595,000	48,572,000	48,491,000	48,991,000	48,599,000	48,325,000
Equivalent Shares From Share Based Compensations Plans									875,000	1,009,000	792,000
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares-diluted	49,821,000	49,917,000	49,850,000	49,877,000	49,740,000	49,585,000	49,613,000	49,494,000	49,866,000	49,608,000	49,117,000
Antidilutive shares not used in calculating diluted earnings per share calculations									856,593	1,209,614	1,283,878
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Number of shares repurchased									48,675	17,804	24,808
Patents And Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets minimum useful life									3
Intangible assets maximum useful life									20
Amorization method									straight-line basis
Building and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment minimum useful life									20
Property, plant and equipment maximum useful life									40
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment minimum useful life									3
Property, plant and equipment maximum useful life									15
Sekisui Fuller Company Ltd [Member]
Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%								50.00%
Current Assets	117,701				97,453				117,701	97,453
Noncurrent Assets	28,018				22,224				28,018	22,224
Current Liabilities	53,599				45,477				53,599	45,477
Noncurrent Liabilities	3,331				809				3,331	809
Revenue									217,427	186,384
Gross Profit									64,300	57,562
Net Income									$ 18,012	$ 16,016