Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 03, 2017	Aug. 28, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Current	$ 1,498,000,000	$ 1,362,000,000
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,546,000,000	3,379,000,000
Short-term investments	1,233,000,000	1,350,000,000
Receivables, net	1,432,000,000	1,252,000,000
Merchandise inventories	9,834,000,000	8,969,000,000
Other current assets	272,000,000	268,000,000
Total current assets	17,317,000,000	15,218,000,000
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	5,690,000,000	5,395,000,000
Buildings and improvements	15,127,000,000	13,994,000,000
Equipment and fixtures	6,681,000,000	6,077,000,000
Construction in progress	843,000,000	701,000,000
Gross property and equipment	28,341,000,000	26,167,000,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(10,180,000,000)	(9,124,000,000)
Net property and equipment	18,161,000,000	17,043,000,000
OTHER ASSETS	869,000,000	902,000,000
TOTAL ASSETS	36,347,000,000	33,163,000,000
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	9,608,000,000	7,612,000,000
Current portion long-term debt	86,000,000	1,100,000,000
Accrued salaries and benefits	2,703,000,000	2,629,000,000
Accrued member rewards	961,000,000	869,000,000
Other current liabilities	2,639,000,000	2,003,000,000
Total current liabilities	17,495,000,000	15,575,000,000
LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion	6,573,000,000	4,061,000,000
OTHER LIABILITIES	1,200,000,000	1,195,000,000
Total liabilities	25,268,000,000	20,831,000,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EQUITY
Preferred stock $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock $.01 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 437,204,000 and 437,524,000 shares issued and outstanding	4,000,000	2,000,000
Additional paid-in capital	5,800,000,000	5,490,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,014,000,000)	(1,099,000,000)
Retained earnings	5,988,000,000	7,686,000,000
Total Costco stockholders' equity	10,778,000,000	12,079,000,000
Noncontrolling interests	301,000,000	253,000,000
Total equity	11,079,000,000	12,332,000,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 36,347,000,000	$ 33,163,000,000