Note 4 - Supplemental Financial Statement Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 28, 2015	Nov. 29, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 86,680,000	$ 49,773,000	$ 96,761,000
Net income including non-controlling interests		417,000	378,000	425,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	(62,759,000)	(38,673,000)	(876,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	(62,759,000)	(38,673,000)	(876,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹		(17,000)	(14,000)	(55,000)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	(24,279,000)	(56,268,000)	106,647,000
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	8,408,000	19,394,000	(38,451,000)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	(15,871,000)	(36,874,000)	68,196,000
Interest rate swap³	[3]	56,000	56,000	57,000
Interest rate swap³	[3]	(16,000)	(15,000)	(16,000)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	40,000	41,000	41,000
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(2,168,000)	158,000	494,000
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	826,000	(42,000)	(191,000)
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(1,342,000)	116,000	303,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(89,150,000)	(94,727,000)	106,322,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		9,218,000	19,337,000	(38,658,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(79,932,000)	(75,390,000)	67,664,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(17,000)	(14,000)	(55,000)
Comprehensive income (loss)		6,748,000	(25,617,000)	164,425,000
Comprehensive income (loss)		$ 400,000	$ 364,000	$ 370,000

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to indefinite investments in international subsidiaries.

[2] Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings as part of net periodic cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans is reported in cost of sales, SG&A and special charges.

[3] Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in other income (expense), net.