Aggregate principal amount term loan facility.

No definition available.

Name:	coo_AggregatePrincipalAmountTermLoanFacility
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest Coverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_InterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Base Rate Loans Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginOnBaseRateLoansPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Foreign Currency Loans Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginOnForeignCurrencyLoansPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Required maximum total leverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_RequiredMaximumTotalLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Required minimum interest coverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_RequiredMinimumInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total Leverage Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	coo_TotalLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	coo_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

States whether the entity was in compliance with the debt covenants throughout the reporting period, and describes facts and circumstances of any compliance failure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of minimum financial levels (for example, tangible net worth and working capital) and achievement of certain financial ratios (for example, working capital ratio and debt service coverage ratio), and adherence to certain clauses which generally require or restrict certain actions (for example, entering into a debt arrangement with equal or greater seniority, and selling or discontinuing a certain business segment or material subsidiary) to be in compliance with the covenant clauses of the debt agreement. May also include a discussion of the adverse consequences that would result if the entity violates or fails to satisfy the covenants.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increase for additional borrowings on the credit facility during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph f

-Article 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseAdditionalBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the credit facility first became available, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInitiationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 95-13

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance cost in an extinguishment of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Jan. 12, 2011
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, initiation date		Jan. 12, 2011
Aggregate principal amount of credit facilities	$ 1,000.0
Original principal amount of term loan facility			250.0
Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Additional Borrowings	500.0
Required minimum Interest Coverage Ratio		3.00
Required maximum Total Leverage Ratio		3.75
Debt instrument, covenant description		Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, we are also required to maintain specified financial ratios: The ratio of Consolidated Proforma EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense (as defined, Interest Coverage Ratio) be at least 3.00 to 1.00 at all times. The ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Proforma EBITDA (as defined, Total Leverage Ratio) be no higher than 3.75 to 1.00.
Debt instrument, covenant compliance		At July 31, 2012, we were in compliance with the Interest Coverage Ratio at 35.75 to 1.00 and the Total Leverage Ratio at 1.12 to 1.00.
Interest Coverage Ratio		35.75
Total Leverage Ratio		1.12
Amount available under the Credit Agreement		545.9
Write-off debt issuance costs in interest expense	1.4
Existing debt issuance costs	6.0
Debt issuance costs incurred to refinance Credit Agreement	1.3
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.10%
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Base Rate Loans Percentage	0.00%
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Foreign Currency Loans Percentage	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.275%
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Base Rate Loans Percentage	0.75%
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin On Foreign Currency Loans Percentage	1.75%
Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of credit facilities			$ 750.0
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	May 31, 2017