Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - Change in Accounting Principle (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018
Cost of sales	$ (518,055)	$ (555,077)	$ (1,552,189)	$ (1,651,844)
Gross profit	207,321	215,030	605,705	620,729
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(140,615)	(147,739)	(432,407)	(447,335)
Other income (expense), net	22,762	2,469	29,113	15,120
Net income including non-controlling interest	49,730	37,736	98,619	129,867
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller	$ 49,718	$ 37,730	$ 98,603	$ 129,863
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.75	$ 1.94	$ 2.57
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.72	$ 1.90	$ 2.50
Previously Reported [Member]
Cost of sales		$ (552,903)		$ (1,645,279)
Gross profit		217,204		627,294
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(146,069)		(442,288)
Other income (expense), net		(1,375)		3,508
Net income including non-controlling interest		37,736		129,867
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 37,730		$ 129,863
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.75		$ 2.57
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.72		$ 2.50
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Cost of sales		$ (2,174)		$ (6,565)
Gross profit		(2,174)		(6,565)
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(1,670)		(5,047)
Other income (expense), net		3,844		11,612
Net income including non-controlling interest		0		0
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		$ 0		$ 0
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0		$ 0
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0		$ 0