Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000072331
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 3,670,599,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,343,146