Consolidated Statements Of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 28, 2021	Aug. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,243,224	$ 3,192,399	$ 3,363,817
Cost of goods sold	1,909,709	1,849,077	1,931,774
Gross profit	1,333,515	1,343,322	1,432,043
Operating expenses	994,468	975,553	1,025,322
Impairment loss, net	5,886
Restructuring costs	31,392	17,029	6,725
Income from operations	301,769	350,740	399,996
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(14,510)	(16,673)	(16,890)
Interest income	66	333	518
Other income (expense), net	1,054	(150)	(495)
Total other expense	(13,390)	(16,490)	(16,867)
Income before provision for income taxes	288,379	334,250	383,129
Provision for income taxes	70,442	82,492	94,332
Net income	217,937	251,758	288,797
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,030	641	(68)
Net income attributable to MSC Industrial	$ 216,907	$ 251,117	$ 288,865
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 3.89	$ 4.53	$ 5.23
Diluted	$ 3.87	$ 4.51	$ 5.20
Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per common share:
Basic	55,737	55,472	55,245
Diluted	56,093	55,643	55,508