Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K/A
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000072331
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity File Number	0-7977
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-0590250
Entity Address, Address Line One	28601 Clemens Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Westlake
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44145
City Area Code	440
Local Phone Number	892-1580
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, without par value
Trading Symbol	NDSN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 8,999,983,246
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,094,487
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting - Part III of the Form 10-K