<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>297</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>265</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>91</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>12</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - REVENUE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/Revenue</Role>
      <ShortName>REVENUE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/SaleOfNonUnitedStatesAccountsReceivable</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDisposalsOfPropertiesPlantsAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringCharges</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING CHARGES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/PostRetirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ContingentLiabilitiesAndEnvironmentalReserves</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests</Role>
      <ShortName>REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringChargesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringCharges</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntities</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/PostRetirementBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/PostRetirementBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterests</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405401 - Disclosure - SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/SaleOfNonUnitedStatesAccountsReceivableAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408401 - Disclosure - ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDisposalsOfPropertiesPlantsAndEquipmentNetDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAndDisposalsOfPropertiesPlantsAndEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillBySegmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Other Intangible Assets by Class (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfCarryingAmountOfNetOtherIntangibleAssetsByClassDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Other Intangible Assets by Class (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringChargesReconciliationOfBeginningAndEndingRestructuringReserveBalancesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringChargesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Amounts Expected to be Incurred, Amounts Incurred, and Amounts Remaining to Be Incurred (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RestructuringChargesAmountsExpectedToBeIncurredAmountsIncurredAndAmountsRemainingToBeIncurredDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Amounts Expected to be Incurred, Amounts Incurred, and Amounts Remaining to Be Incurred (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesTotalNetAssetsOfFlexiblePackagingJvDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebtSummaryOfLongTermDebtDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT - Credit Agreement (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebtCreditAgreementDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT - Credit Agreement (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT - Senior Notes (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebtSeniorNotesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT - Senior Notes (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT - United States, Internantional Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/LongTermDebtUnitedStatesInternantionalTradeAccountsReceivableCreditFacilityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT - United States, Internantional Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Estimated Fair Values for the Company's Senior Notes and Assets Held by Special Purpose Entities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsEstimatedFairValuesForCompanysSeniorNotesAndAssetsHeldBySpecialPurposeEntitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Estimated Fair Values for the Company's Senior Notes and Assets Held by Special Purpose Entities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Summary of Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Determine Fair Value Long-Lived Assets Held and Used (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsAndFairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfSignificantUnobservableInputsUsedToDetermineFairValueLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Summary of Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Determine Fair Value Long-Lived Assets Held and Used (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/PostRetirementBenefitPlansComponentsOfNetPeriodicPensionCostDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/PostRetirementBenefitPlansAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416401 - Disclosure - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/ContingentLiabilitiesAndEnvironmentalReservesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/ContingentLiabilitiesAndEnvironmentalReserves</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShareSummarizationOfCompanysClassAndClassBCommonAndTreasurySharesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417405 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationOfSharesUsedToCalculateBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Summary of Changes in Equity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLossSummaryOfChangesInEquityDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Summary of Changes in Equity (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLossScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/EquityAndComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Geographic Area (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationGeographicAreaDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Geographic Area (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420404 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Segment Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationSegmentInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Segment Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420405 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net by Geographical Area (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationPropertiesPlantsAndEquipmentNetByGeographicalAreaDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net by Geographical Area (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Rollforward of Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsRollforwardOfMandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Rollforward of Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421403 - Disclosure - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421404 - Disclosure - REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Rollforward of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsRollforwardOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - Rollforward of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="gef-20190131.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422401 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.greif.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.greif.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>gef-20190131.xml</File>
    <File>gef-20190131.xsd</File>
    <File>gef-20190131_cal.xml</File>
    <File>gef-20190131_def.xml</File>
    <File>gef-20190131_lab.xml</File>
    <File>gef-20190131_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
