Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010	May 31, 2009
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash provided by operating activities	$ 4,041	$ 3,138	$ 2,753
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,434)	(2,816)	(2,459)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	(96)
Proceeds from asset dispositions and other	111	35	76
Cash used in investing activities	(3,419)	(2,781)	(2,383)
Financing Activities:
Principal payments on debt	(262)	(653)	(501)
Proceeds from debt issuance			1,000
Proceeds from stock issuances	108	94	41
Excess tax benefit on the exercise of stock options	23	25	4
Dividends paid	(151)	(138)	(137)
Other, net	(5)	(20)	(7)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(287)	(692)	400
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	41	(5)	(17)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	376	(340)	753
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,952	2,292	1,539
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,328	1,952	2,292
Parent Company Member
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash provided by operating activities	25	(450)	(924)
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1)
Cash used in investing activities	(1)
Financing Activities:
Net transfers from (to) Parent	530	531	1,173
Payment on loan from Parent			17
Principal payments on debt	(250)	(500)	(500)
Proceeds from debt issuance			1,000
Proceeds from stock issuances	108	94	41
Excess tax benefit on the exercise of stock options	23	25	4
Dividends paid	(151)	(138)	(137)
Other, net	(5)	(20)	(7)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	255	(8)	1,591
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	279	(458)	667
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,310	1,768	1,101
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,589	1,310	1,768
Guarantor Subsidiaries Member
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash provided by operating activities	3,978	2,942	3,156
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,263)	(2,661)	(2,248)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	(96)
Proceeds from asset dispositions and other	110	38	69
Cash used in investing activities	(3,249)	(2,623)	(2,179)
Financing Activities:
Net transfers from (to) Parent	(994)	(397)	(1,066)
Payment on loan between subsidiaries	235	72	36
Intercompany dividends	61	158	165
Principal payments on debt	(12)	(153)
Other, net	(9)	(5)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(719)	(325)	(865)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	11	(8)	(6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21	(14)	106
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	258	272	166
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	279	258	272
Non Guarantor Subsidiaries Member
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash provided by operating activities	65	653	573
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(170)	(155)	(211)
Proceeds from asset dispositions and other	1	(3)	7
Cash used in investing activities	(169)	(158)	(204)
Financing Activities:
Net transfers from (to) Parent	464	(134)	(107)
Payment on loan from Parent			(17)
Payment on loan between subsidiaries	(235)	(72)	(36)
Intercompany dividends	(61)	(158)	(165)
Principal payments on debt			(1)
Other, net	9	5
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	177	(359)	(326)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	30	3	(11)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	103	139	32
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	443	304	272
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	546	443	304
Consolidation Eliminations Member
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash provided by operating activities	(27)	(7)	(52)
Financing Activities:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(27)	(7)	(52)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	(59)	(52)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ (86)	$ (59)	$ (52)

The net cash inflow (outflow) from parent as a source of financing.

Name:	fdx_NetTransfersFromToParent
Namespace Prefix:	fdx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) from the proceeds and repayments made on the borrowing from one affiliate to another.

+ Details

Name:	fdx_PaymentOnLoanBetweenSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	fdx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) from the proceeds and repayments made on the borrowing of an affiliate from the Parent.

+ Details

Name:	fdx_PaymentOnLoanFromParent
Namespace Prefix:	fdx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets, along with net cash outflow (inflow) from other investing activities when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	fdx_ProceedsFromAssetDispositionsAndOther
Namespace Prefix:	fdx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits should not be reported as cash and cash equivalents.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 7, 26

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 8, 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 7
-Footnote 1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net change between the beginning and ending balance of cash and cash equivalents.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 25

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reductions in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from non-qualified share-based compensation) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from share-based compensation recognized in financial statements. This element represents the cash inflow reported in the enterprise's financing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph i

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 00-15
-Paragraph 3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activity for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) from investing activity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 26

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The distributions of earnings to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph a

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow from the entity's earnings to the shareholders.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15, 17

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 15

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph c

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of common, preferred, and treasury stocks, stock options, and such forth.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18, 19, 20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with security instrument that either represents a creditor or an ownership relationship with the holder of the investment security with a maturity of beyond one year or normal operating cycle, if longer. The nature of such security interests included herein may consist of debt securities, long-term capital lease obligations, and capital securities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration