Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2011	Dec. 02, 2010	Sep. 01, 2011	Aug. 31, 2006 Nonsoftware License Arrangement with Photronics [Member]	Dec. 01, 2011 Nonsoftware License Arrangement with Photronics [Member]	Dec. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash Technologies, LLC [Member]	Dec. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash Singapore LLP [Member]		Dec. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash [Member]	Dec. 02, 2010 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash [Member]	Dec. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash [Member] Intel [Member]	Dec. 02, 2010 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash [Member] Intel [Member]	Sep. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] IM Flash [Member] Intel [Member]	Dec. 01, 2011 Variable Interest Entities Which We Have Determined That We Are the Primary Beneficiary [Member] MP Mask Technology Center, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage (in hundredths)						51.00%	82.00%							50.01%
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners (in hundredths)						49.00%	18.00%							49.99%
Lag on change in ownership on right to receive output - longest period (in months)							12M	[1]
Lag on change in ownership on right to receive output - shortest period (in months)							8M	[1]
Micron share of IMFS cost and supply							71.00%
Net sales	$ 2,090	$ 2,252									$ 261	$ 209
Trade Receivables	1,046		1,105								158		165
R and D expenses reduced by reimbursements from Intel	22	23
Proceeds for entering into license agreement with Photronics				72
Term of license agreement with Photronics (in years)				10Y
Deferred income and other noncurrent liabilities related to license agreement with Photronics					32
Distributions to, and contributions from, shareholders [Abstract]
Distributions to Micron from consolidated VIE's									86	51
Distributions to noncontrolling interests from consolidated VIE's	83	49							83	49
Micron contributions to consolidated VIE's									103	392				8
Cash received from noncontrolling interests	$ 138	$ 0							$ 131	$ 0				$ 7

[1] depending on the status of IMFS' production ramp