Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (EPS) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 294,185	$ (1,588)	$ 319,483
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	1,593	952	(1,391)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Jabil Circuit, Inc., net of tax	292,592	(2,540)	320,874
Discontinued operations attributable to Jabil Circuit, Inc., net of tax	(8,573)	243,853	50,608
Net income attributable to Jabil Circuit, Inc.	$ 284,019	$ 241,313	$ 371,482
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Denominator for basic earnings per share	193,689	202,497	203,096
Dilutive common shares issuable under the employee stock purchase plan and upon exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights	159		33
Dilutive unvested restricted stock awards	2,157		4,686
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	196,005	202,497	207,815
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 1.51	$ (0.01)	$ 1.58
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(0.04)	1.2	0.25
Net income	1.47	1.19	1.83
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	1.49	(0.01)	1.54
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(0.04)	1.2	0.24
Net income	$ 1.45	$ 1.19	$ 1.79