Note 10 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 03, 2017		May 28, 2016		Jun. 03, 2017	May 28, 2016
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$ 20,087		$ 1,697		$ 11,302	$ 3,676
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		6		5		1
Comprehensive income (loss)		45,954		35,028		51,964	55,925
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		3		64		34	108
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		25,867		33,331		40,662	52,249
Net income including non-controlling interests		(3)		59		33	108
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	18,507		1,437		7,993	492
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, tax	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	18,507		1,437		7,993	492
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	6		5		1
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax		2,412	[2]	1,173	[2]	4,820	5,170	[2]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(819)		(483)		(1,637)	(1,815)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,593		690		3,183	3,355
Interest rate swap³, pretax	[3]	16		16		32	29
Interest rate swap³, tax	[3]	(6)		(6)		(12)	(9)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	10		10		20	20
Cash-flow hedges³, pretax	[3]	(37)		(711)		171	(308)
Cash-flow hedges³, tax	[3]	14		271		(65)	117
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(23)		(440)		106	(191)
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		20,898		1,915		13,016	5,383
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		$ (811)		$ (218)		$ (1,714)	$ (1,707)

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 1, the foreign currency translation adjustment for the six months ended June 3, 2017 includes the impact of the change in functional currency for our subsidiaries in Latin America.

[2] Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income ("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 expense and special charges, net.

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