Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012	Mar. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Aug. 27, 2011	May 28, 2011	Feb. 26, 2011	Dec. 01, 2012	Dec. 03, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash proceeds		$ 118,566
Gain on sale of discontinued operations									66,179	0	0
Gain on sale net of taxes		51,060
Revenue Recognition Rebates [Abstract]
Rebates									9,707	14,751	18,151
Inventories - LIFO [Abstract]
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	32.00%								32.00%
Liquidations of LIFO layers									0	273	1,349
Investments [Abstract]
Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts	9,794								9,794
Cost method investments	2,085				3,571				2,085	3,571
Impairment of cost method investments									1,517
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized interest costs									151	114	240
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Postemployment liability	2,534								2,534
Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation liability	3,623				1,400				3,623	1,400
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Line Items]
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller									125,622	89,105	70,877
Weighted-average common shares - basic	49,640,000	49,627,000	49,652,000	49,365,000	48,937,000	49,000,000	49,021,000	49,006,000	49,571,000	48,991,000	48,599,000
Equivalent Shares From Share Based Compensations Plans									1,047,000	875,000	1,009,000
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares-diluted	50,798,000	50,699,000	50,722,000	50,253,000	49,821,000	49,917,000	49,850,000	49,877,000	50,618,000	49,866,000	49,608,000
Antidilutive shares not used in calculating diluted earnings per share calculations									7,372	856,593	1,209,614
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Number of shares repurchased									54,289	48,675	17,804
Share repurchase plan											100,000
Shares repurchased									100,000	345,446	0
Total Value Repurchased Shares									2,999	7,491
Patents And Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortizable intangible assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets minimum useful life									3
Intangible assets maximum useful life									20
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									20
Sekisui Fuller Company Ltd [Member]
Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership Percentage	50.00%								50.00%
Current Assets	117,597				117,701				117,597	117,701
Noncurrent Assets	25,704				28,018				25,704	28,018
Current Liabilities	48,298				53,599				48,298	53,599
Noncurrent Liabilities	2,653				3,331				2,653	3,331
Revenue									222,589	217,427
Gross Profit									63,596	64,300
Net Income									$ 18,436	$ 18,012