Note 8 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 03, 2023	May 28, 2022	Jun. 03, 2023	May 28, 2022
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		$ 40,401	$ 47,203	$ 62,290	$ 85,509
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		21	24	48	37
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax		26,425	(84,098)	22,779	(77,558)
Foreign currency translation¹		26,425	(84,098)	22,779	(77,558)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests		(15)	(12)	(5)	(21)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[1]	1,151	3,872	2,292	4,705
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[1]	(293)	(1,069)	(583)	(1,413)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[1]	858	2,803	1,709	3,292
Cash flow hedge		(5,384)	0	(5,683)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		7,851	(77,019)	16,004	(63,506)
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		4,560	(2,139)	1,648	(4,475)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		12,411	(79,158)	17,652	(67,981)
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(15)	(12)	(5)	(21)
Comprehensive income (loss)		52,812	(31,955)	79,942	17,528
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		6	12	43	16
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests		(15)	(12)	(5)	(21)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³		(12,584)	4,435	(1,529)	12,690
Cash flow hedge, tax³		3,096	(1,088)	376	(3,112)
Cash flow hedge		(9,488)	3,347	(1,153)	9,578
Cash flow hedge, tax³		3,096	(1,088)	376	(3,112)
Derivative instruments		(12,584)	4,435	(1,529)	12,690
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[2]	0	(1,228)	0	(3,343)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[2]	0	18	0	50
Cash flow hedge	[2]	0	(1,210)	0	(3,293)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[2]	0	18	0	50
Derivative instruments	[2]	0	(1,228)	0	$ (3,343)
Net Investment Hedges [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³		(7,141)	0	(7,538)
Cash flow hedge, tax³		1,757	0	1,855
Cash flow hedge			0
Cash flow hedge, tax³		1,757	0	1,855
Derivative instruments		(7,141)	$ 0	(7,538)
Net Investment Hedge [Member]
Cash flow hedge		$ (5,384)		$ (5,683)

[1] 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.

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