Note 5 - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		May 28, 2016	May 30, 2015	May 28, 2016	May 30, 2015
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 33,331	$ 25,172	$ 52,249	$ 34,882
Net income including non-controlling interests		59	144	108	229
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	$ 1,437	$ (4,725)	$ 492	$ (38,004)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	$ 1,437	$ (4,725)	$ 492	$ (38,004)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	5	74		84
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,173	2,326	$ 5,170	4,651
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	(483)	(798)	(1,815)	(1,596)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	690	1,528	3,355	3,055
Interest rate swap³	[3]	16	5	29	21
Interest rate swap³	[3]	(6)	5	(9)	(1)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	10	$ 10	20	20
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(711)		(308)	(31)
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	271		117	6
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(440)		(191)	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,915	$ (2,394)	5,383	(33,363)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(218)	(793)	(1,707)	(1,591)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,697	(3,187)	$ 3,676	(34,954)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		5	74		84
Comprehensive income (loss)		35,028	21,985	$ 55,925	(72)
Comprehensive income (loss)		$ 64	$ 218	$ 108	$ 313

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to permanent 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.