Note 10 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 02, 2018	Jun. 03, 2017	Jun. 02, 2018	Jun. 03, 2017
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 44,451	$ 25,867	$ 92,133	$ 40,662
Net income including non-controlling interests		13	(3)	(2)	33
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	(40,752)	18,507	(19,284)	7,993
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, tax	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	(40,752)	18,507	(19,284)	7,993
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(5)	6	(18)	1
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[2]	2,238	2,412	4,476	4,820
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(578)	(819)	(1,156)	(1,637)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,660	1,593	3,320	3,183
Interest rate swap³, pretax	[3]	7,405	16	26,839	32
Interest rate swap³, tax	[3]	(2,821)	(6)	(6,303)	(12)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	4,584	10	20,536	20
Cash-flow hedges³, pretax	[3]	(19)	(37)	(4,513)	171
Cash-flow hedges³, tax	[3]	7	14	(2,340)	(65)
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	(12)	(23)	(6,853)	106
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		(31,128)	20,898	7,518	13,016
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		(3,392)	(811)	(9,799)	(1,714)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(34,520)	20,087	(2,281)	11,302
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(5)	6	(18)	1
Comprehensive income (loss)		9,931	45,954	89,852	51,964
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		$ 8	$ 3	$ (20)	$ 34

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries. The foreign currency translation adjustment for the six months ended June 3, 2017 includes $11,317 related to 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 and SG&A expense.

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