Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NORDSON CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000072331
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	64,701,683