Note 8 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 02, 2023	Aug. 27, 2022	Sep. 02, 2023	Aug. 27, 2022
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		$ 37,627	$ 46,497	$ 99,916	$ 132,007
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller and non-controlling interest		23	33	71	70
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	(8,710)	(87,743)	14,070	(165,302)
Foreign currency translation¹	[1]	(8,710)	(87,743)	14,070	(165,302)
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(7)	(46)	(12)	(67)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax	[2]	1,157	778	3,449	5,483
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(294)	(94)	(877)	(1,507)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	863	684	2,572	3,976
Cash flow hedge		(4,641)	0	(10,324)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		7,377	(85,559)	23,382	(149,066)
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		(3,967)	(525)	(2,319)	(5,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		3,410	(86,084)	21,063	(154,066)
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(7)	(46)	(12)	(67)
Comprehensive income (loss)		41,037	(39,587)	120,979	(22,059)
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		16	(13)	59	3
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(7)	(46)	(12)	(67)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[3]	21,086	1,783	19,557	14,473
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	(5,188)	(437)	(4,812)	(3,549)
Cash flow hedge	[3]	15,898	1,346	14,745	10,924
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	(5,188)	(437)	(4,812)	(3,549)
Derivative instruments	[3]	21,086	1,783	19,557	14,473
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[3]	0	(377)	0	(3,720)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	0	6	0	56
Cash flow hedge	[3]	0	(371)	0	(3,664)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	0	6	0	56
Derivative instruments	[3]	0	(377)	0	$ (3,720)
Net Investment Hedges [Member]
Cash flow hedge, pretax³	[3]	(6,156)	0	(13,694)
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	1,515	0	3,370
Cash flow hedge	[3]		0
Cash flow hedge, tax³	[3]	1,515	0	3,370
Derivative instruments	[3]	(6,156)	$ 0	(13,694)
Net Investment Hedge [Member]
Cash flow hedge	[3]	$ (4,641)		$ (10,324)

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

[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, net.