Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Nov. 19, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Transition Report	false
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Entity File Number	1-14959
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	WI
Entity Tax Identification Number	39-0178960
Entity Shell Company	false
Local Phone Number	358-6600
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	53223
Entity Address, State or Province	WI
Entity Address, Address Line One	6555 West Good Hope Road,
City Area Code	Milwaukee,
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	BRC
Entity Registrant Name	BRADY CORP
City Area Code	414
Entity Central Index Key	0000746598
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Class A nonvoting common stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,766,327
Class B Voting Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,538,628