Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity Preferred Stock. To help protect the benefits of our NOLs, built-in losses and tax credits from the impact of an ownership change under Section 382, on January 22, 2009, we adopted a Rights Agreement dated as of that date (the “2009 Rights Agreement”), and we declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock that was payable to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2009. Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the 2009 Rights Agreement, if these rights become exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us 1/100th of a share of our Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $85.00 (“Purchase Price”). If issued, each fractional share of preferred stock would generally give a stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of our common stock. However, prior to exercise, a right does not give its holder any rights as a stockholder, including without limitation any dividend, voting or liquidation rights. The rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (a) 10 calendar days after a public announcement by us that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person (as defined under the 2009 Rights Agreement) and (b) 10 business days after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a person or group if upon consummation of the offer the person or group would beneficially own 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock. Until these rights become exercisable (the “Distribution Date”), common stock certificates will evidence the rights and may contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of shares of our common stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated rights. After the Distribution Date, the rights may be transferred other than in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of our common stock. If there is an Acquiring Person on the Distribution Date or a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person after the Distribution Date, each holder of a right, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a right and payment of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of our common stock having a market value of two times the Purchase Price. After the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person has become such, our board of directors may exchange the rights, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right, subject to adjustment. At any time prior to the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person becomes such, our board of directors may redeem all of the then-outstanding rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per right, subject to adjustment (“Redemption Price”). The redemption will be effective immediately upon the board of directors’ action, unless the action provides that such redemption will be effective at a subsequent time or upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more specified events, in which case the redemption will be effective in accordance with the provisions of the action. Immediately upon the effectiveness of the redemption of the rights, the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the Redemption Price, with interest thereon. The rights issued pursuant to the 2009 Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of (a) the close of business on March 5, 2019, (b) the time at which the rights are redeemed, (c) the time at which the rights are exchanged, (d) the time at which our board of directors determines that a related provision in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation is no longer necessary, and (e) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year of ours to which our board of directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward. At our annual meeting of stockholders on April 2, 2009, our stockholders approved the 2009 Rights Agreement. Common Stock. In 2014, we issued 7,986,111 shares of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, in underwritten public offerings at a price of $18.00 per share. We used shares of treasury stock for the issuance and received net proceeds of $137.0 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses. In 2013, we issued 6,325,000 shares of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, in an underwritten public offering at a price of $18.25 per share. We used shares of treasury stock for the issuance and received net proceeds of $109.5 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses. We maintain a common stock reserve account with our transfer agent to reserve the maximum number of shares of our common stock potentially deliverable upon conversion to holders of the 1.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 based on the terms of their governing instruments. Accordingly, the common stock reserve account had a balance of 12,602,735 shares at November 30, 2015 and 2014. The maximum number of shares would potentially be deliverable to holders only in certain limited circumstances as set forth in the instruments governing these notes. Each share of our common stock issued in the 2013 and 2014 offerings includes a preferred share purchase right associated with and subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement. Any shares of our common stock delivered upon conversion to holders of the 1.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 will also include such preferred share purchase rights. In 2014, our board of directors amended the Director Plan to provide directors with a one-time opportunity to irrevocably elect to receive an equivalent value of shares of our common stock in lieu of the cash payments that are otherwise due upon the respective settlement of their outstanding and any future Director Plan SARs under the terms of the plan. Concurrent with the amendment of the Director Plan, for the purpose of effecting any such Director Plan SAR settlements, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of no more than 680,000 shares of our common stock, and also authorized potential future grants of up to 680,000 stock payment awards under the KB Home 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”), in each case solely as necessary for director elections in respect of outstanding Director Plan SARs. The 2014 Plan is discussed in Note 19. Employee Benefit and Stock Plans. During 2014, following the amendment of the Director Plan, directors made irrevocable elections to receive an aggregate of 679,815 shares of our common stock upon the respective settlement of their outstanding Director Plan SARs. As of November 30, 2015, we had not settled any Director Plan SARs. In addition, we had not repurchased any shares and no stock payment awards had been granted under the 2014 Plan pursuant to the respective board of directors authorizations. In 2013, directors were provided a one-time opportunity to elect and they made irrevocable elections to receive an equivalent value of shares of our common stock in lieu of the cash payments that are otherwise due upon the settlement of their outstanding stock units under the terms of the Director Plan. At that date, there were a total of 481,554 outstanding stock units. Concurrent with the amendment of the Director Plan, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of no more than 482,000 shares of our common stock solely as necessary for director elections in respect of outstanding stock units. During 2013, following the amendment of the Director Plan, directors made irrevocable elections to receive an aggregate of 478,294 shares of our common stock upon the respective settlement of their outstanding stock units, and we repurchased through open market transactions such shares pursuant to the authorization at an aggregate price of $7.9 million. We do not anticipate any additional repurchases of our common stock pursuant to this board of directors authorization. The above-described director elections made in 2014 and 2013 changed only the method of settlement of the outstanding Director Plan SARs and stock units, respectively, and did not change any of the other terms of these awards or impact the value to the directors. As a result of the directors’ elections, the relevant outstanding Director Plan SARs and stock units were effectively converted to stock-settled awards, which are accounted for as equity awards, instead of cash-settled liability awards, thereby reducing the degree of variability in the expense associated with such stock units in future quarters. As of November 30, 2015, we were authorized to repurchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock under a stand-alone board-approved share repurchase program. We did not repurchase any of our common stock under this program in 2015, 2014 or 2013. Our board of directors declared four quarterly cash dividends of $.0250 per share of common stock in 2015, 2014 and 2013. All dividends declared during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were also paid during those years. Treasury Stock. We acquired $.6 million, $.5 million and $8.5 million of our common stock in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All of the common stock acquired in 2015 and 2014 and a portion of the common stock acquired in 2013 consisted of previously issued shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy their withholding tax obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards or of forfeitures of previous restricted stock awards. The common stock acquired in 2013 was primarily related to director elections in respect of outstanding stock units under the Director Plan, as described above. Treasury stock is recorded at cost. Differences between the cost of treasury stock and the reissuance proceeds are recorded to paid-in capital. These transactions are not considered repurchases under the 4,000,000 share repurchase program described above.

Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock. To help protect the benefits of our NOLs, built-in losses and tax credits from the impact of an ownership change under Section 382, on January 22, 2009, we adopted a Rights Agreement dated as of that date (the “2009 Rights Agreement”), and we declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock that was payable to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2009. Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the 2009 Rights Agreement, if these rights become exercisable, each right would initially represent the right to purchase from us 1/100th of a share of our Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $85.00 (“Purchase Price”). If issued, each fractional share of preferred stock would generally give a stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of our common stock. However, prior to exercise, a right does not give its holder any rights as a stockholder, including without limitation any dividend, voting or liquidation rights. The rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (a) 10 calendar days after a public announcement by us that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person (as defined under the 2009 Rights Agreement) and (b) 10 business days after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a person or group if upon consummation of the offer the person or group would beneficially own 4.9% or more of our outstanding common stock.

Until these rights become exercisable (the “Distribution Date”), common stock certificates will evidence the rights and may contain a notation to that effect. Any transfer of shares of our common stock prior to the Distribution Date will constitute a transfer of the associated rights. After the Distribution Date, the rights may be transferred other than in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of our common stock. If there is an Acquiring Person on the Distribution Date or a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person after the Distribution Date, each holder of a right, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a right and payment of the Purchase Price, that number of shares of our common stock having a market value of two times the Purchase Price. After the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person has become such, our board of directors may exchange the rights, other than rights that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, which will be void, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right, subject to adjustment.

At any time prior to the later of the Distribution Date and the time we publicly announce that an Acquiring Person becomes such, our board of directors may redeem all of the then-outstanding rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per right, subject to adjustment (“Redemption Price”). The redemption will be effective immediately upon the board of directors’ action, unless the action provides that such redemption will be effective at a subsequent time or upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of one or more specified events, in which case the redemption will be effective in accordance with the provisions of the action. Immediately upon the effectiveness of the redemption of the rights, the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the Redemption Price, with interest thereon. The rights issued pursuant to the 2009 Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of (a) the close of business on March 5, 2019, (b) the time at which the rights are redeemed, (c) the time at which the rights are exchanged, (d) the time at which our board of directors determines that a related provision in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation is no longer necessary, and (e) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year of ours to which our board of directors determines that no tax benefits may be carried forward. At our annual meeting of stockholders on April 2, 2009, our stockholders approved the 2009 Rights Agreement.

Common Stock. In 2014, we issued 7,986,111 shares of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, in underwritten public offerings at a price of $18.00 per share. We used shares of treasury stock for the issuance and received net proceeds of $137.0 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses. In 2013, we issued 6,325,000 shares of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, in an underwritten public offering at a price of $18.25 per share. We used shares of treasury stock for the issuance and received net proceeds of $109.5 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and transaction expenses.

We maintain a common stock reserve account with our transfer agent to reserve the maximum number of shares of our common stock potentially deliverable upon conversion to holders of the 1.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 based on the terms of their governing instruments. Accordingly, the common stock reserve account had a balance of 12,602,735 shares at November 30, 2015 and 2014. The maximum number of shares would potentially be deliverable to holders only in certain limited circumstances as set forth in the instruments governing these notes.

Each share of our common stock issued in the 2013 and 2014 offerings includes a preferred share purchase right associated with and subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement. Any shares of our common stock delivered upon conversion to holders of the 1.375% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 will also include such preferred share purchase rights.

In 2014, our board of directors amended the Director Plan to provide directors with a one-time opportunity to irrevocably elect to receive an equivalent value of shares of our common stock in lieu of the cash payments that are otherwise due upon the respective settlement of their outstanding and any future Director Plan SARs under the terms of the plan. Concurrent with the amendment of the Director Plan, for the purpose of effecting any such Director Plan SAR settlements, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of no more than 680,000 shares of our common stock, and also authorized potential future grants of up to 680,000 stock payment awards under the KB Home 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”), in each case solely as necessary for director elections in respect of outstanding Director Plan SARs. The 2014 Plan is discussed in Note 19. Employee Benefit and Stock Plans. During 2014, following the amendment of the Director Plan, directors made irrevocable elections to receive an aggregate of 679,815 shares of our common stock upon the respective settlement of their outstanding Director Plan SARs. As of November 30, 2015, we had not settled any Director Plan SARs. In addition, we had not repurchased any shares and no stock payment awards had been granted under the 2014 Plan pursuant to the respective board of directors authorizations.

In 2013, directors were provided a one-time opportunity to elect and they made irrevocable elections to receive an equivalent value of shares of our common stock in lieu of the cash payments that are otherwise due upon the settlement of their outstanding stock units under the terms of the Director Plan. At that date, there were a total of 481,554 outstanding stock units. Concurrent with the amendment of the Director Plan, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of no more than 482,000 shares of our common stock solely as necessary for director elections in respect of outstanding stock units. During 2013, following the amendment of the Director Plan, directors made irrevocable elections to receive an aggregate of 478,294 shares of our common stock upon the respective settlement of their outstanding stock units, and we repurchased through open market transactions such shares pursuant to the authorization at an aggregate price of $7.9 million. We do not anticipate any additional repurchases of our common stock pursuant to this board of directors authorization.

The above-described director elections made in 2014 and 2013 changed only the method of settlement of the outstanding Director Plan SARs and stock units, respectively, and did not change any of the other terms of these awards or impact the value to the directors. As a result of the directors’ elections, the relevant outstanding Director Plan SARs and stock units were effectively converted to stock-settled awards, which are accounted for as equity awards, instead of cash-settled liability awards, thereby reducing the degree of variability in the expense associated with such stock units in future quarters.

As of November 30, 2015, we were authorized to repurchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock under a stand-alone board-approved share repurchase program. We did not repurchase any of our common stock under this program in 2015, 2014 or 2013.

Our board of directors declared four quarterly cash dividends of $.0250 per share of common stock in 2015, 2014 and 2013. All dividends declared during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were also paid during those years.

Treasury Stock. We acquired $.6 million, $.5 million and $8.5 million of our common stock in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All of the common stock acquired in 2015 and 2014 and a portion of the common stock acquired in 2013 consisted of previously issued shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy their withholding tax obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards or of forfeitures of previous restricted stock awards. The common stock acquired in 2013 was primarily related to director elections in respect of outstanding stock units under the Director Plan, as described above. Treasury stock is recorded at cost. Differences between the cost of treasury stock and the reissuance proceeds are recorded to paid-in capital. These transactions are not considered repurchases under the 4,000,000 share repurchase program described above.