DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2021	Dec. 09, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Entity Central Index Key	0000054187
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-3647
Entity Registrant Name	MAYS J W INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-1059070
Entity Address, Address Line One	9 Bond Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Brooklyn
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	11201
City Area Code	718
Local Phone Number	624-7400
Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name	N/A
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value
Trading Symbol	MAYS
Name of Exchange on which Security is Registered	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,015,780