Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2016	Dec. 28, 2016
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 03, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001003078
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,847,717
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,850,636