Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Jun. 01, 2013	May 31, 2014	Jun. 01, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 29, 2014
Total comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Net income attributable to HB Fuller	$ 20,537	$ 25,929	$ 35,108	$ 46,606
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	89	119	167	216
Reclassification To Earnings Net [Abstract]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment	1,021	1,965	2,039	3,941
Cross currency amount in AOCI	29	(21)	32	189
Comprehensive income (loss)	20,309	22,355	36,536	41,863	164,795
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,041		49,041		49,871
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(119,616)		(119,616)		(121,655)
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(74)		(74)		(94)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(59)		(59)		(91)	59
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(70,708)		(70,708)		(71,969)
Tax on defined benefit pension plans adjustment	63,923		63,923		65,210
Tax on interest rate swap	28		28		36
Tax on cash-flow hedges	36		36		57
H.B Fuller Stockholders [Member]
Other compreshensive income (loss) before tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,385)	(5,601)	(827)	(9,070)
Reclassification To Earnings Before Tax [Abstract]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment	1,670	3,026	3,326	6,067
Interest rate swap	14	14	28	28
Cash-flow hedges	47	(34)	53	308
Other comprehensive income (loss)	346	(2,595)	2,580	(2,667)
Other compreshensive income (loss) tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Reclassification To Earnings Tax [Abstract]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment	(649)	(1,061)	(1,287)	(2,126)
Interest rate swap	(4)	(4)	(8)	(8)
Cash-flow hedges	(18)	13	(21)	(119)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(671)	(1,052)	(1,316)	(2,253)
Other compreshensive income (loss) net [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,385)	(5,601)	(827)	(9,070)
Reclassification To Earnings Net [Abstract]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment	1,021	1,965	2,039	3,941
Interest rate swap	10	10	20	20
Cross currency amount in AOCI	29	(21)	32	189
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(325)	(3,647)	1,264	(4,920)
Comprehensive income (loss)	20,212	22,282	36,372	41,686
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	49,051		49,051		49,878
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	(119,616)		(119,616)		(121,655)
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	(74)		(74)		(94)
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	(59)		(59)		(91)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(70,698)		(70,698)		(71,962)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Other compreshensive income (loss) net [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	8	(46)	(3)	(39)
Reclassification To Earnings Net [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	(46)	(3)	(39)
Comprehensive income (loss)	97	73	164	177
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(10)		(10)		(7)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes	0		0		0
Interest rate swap, net of taxes	0		0		0
Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes	0		0		0
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (10)		$ (10)		$ (7)