Business and Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Business and Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business	Business Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Applied”) is a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, and other industrial supplies, serving Maintenance Repair & Operations (MRO) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial, fluid power, and flow control applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber, fluid power, and flow control shop services. Applied also offers storeroom services and inventory management solutions that provide added value to its customers. Although the Company does not generally manufacture the products it sells, it does assemble and repair certain products and systems.
Consolidation	Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency The financial statements of the Company’s Canadian, Mexican, Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are reported in other comprehensive (loss) income in the statements of consolidated comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in the statements of consolidated income as a component of other (income) expense, net.
Estimates	Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Marketable Securities	Marketable Securities The primary marketable security investments of the Company include money market and mutual funds held in a rabbi trust for a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. These are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, are classified as trading securities, and are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices. Changes in the fair value of the investments during the period are recorded in other (income) expense, net in the statements of consolidated income.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. As such, the Company does not believe that a significant concentration of credit risk exists in its accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits with commercial banks and regulated non-bank subsidiaries. While the Company monitors the creditworthiness of these institutions, a crisis in the financial systems could limit access to funds and/or result in the loss of principal. The terms of these deposits and investments provide that all monies are available to the Company upon demand.
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts	Allowances for Doubtful Accounts The Company evaluates the collectibility of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Initially, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is adjusted based on recent trends of customers and industries estimated to be greater credit risks, trends within the entire customer pool, and changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident collection will not occur. While the Company has a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which the Company operates could result in higher than expected defaults, and therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are valued at the average cost method, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories and the average cost method for foreign inventories. The Company adopted the link chain dollar value LIFO method of accounting for U.S. inventories in fiscal 1974. At June 30, 2018, approximately 16.8% of the Company’s domestic inventory dollars relate to LIFO layers added in the 1970s. The Company maintains five LIFO pools based on the following product groupings: bearings, power transmission products, rubber products, fluid power products and other products. LIFO layers and/or liquidations are determined consistently year-to-year. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its slow moving and inactive inventories at least quarterly. The Company estimates the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering factors such as its age, historic and current demand trends, the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. The Company’s ability to recover its cost for slow moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand, and relationships with suppliers. Historically, the Company’s inventories have demonstrated long shelf lives, are not highly susceptible to obsolescence, and, in certain instances, can be eligible for return under supplier return programs.
Supplier Purchasing Programs	Supplier Purchasing Programs The Company enters into agreements with certain suppliers providing inventory purchase incentives. The Company’s inventory purchase incentive arrangements are unique to each supplier and are generally annual programs ending at either the Company’s fiscal year end or the supplier’s year end; however, program length and ending dates can vary. Incentives are received in the form of cash or credits against purchases upon attainment of specified purchase volumes and are received either monthly, quarterly or annually. The incentives are generally a specified percentage of the Company’s net purchases based upon achieving specific purchasing volume levels. These percentages can increase or decrease based on changes in the volume of purchases. The Company accrues for the receipt of these inventory purchase incentives based upon cumulative purchases of inventory. The percentage level utilized is based upon the estimated total volume of purchases expected during the life of the program. Supplier programs are analyzed each quarter to determine the appropriateness of the amount of purchase incentives accrued. Upon program completion, differences between estimates and actual incentives subsequently received have not been material. Benefits under these supplier purchasing programs are recognized under the Company’s inventory accounting methods as a reduction of cost of sales when the inventories representing these purchases are recorded as cost of sales. Accrued incentives expected to be settled as a credit against future purchases are reported on the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to amounts due to the related supplier.
Property and related Depreciation and Amortization	Property and Related Depreciation and Amortization Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements are depreciated over ten to thirty years or the life of the lease if a shorter period, and equipment is depreciated over three to ten years. The Company capitalizes internal use software development costs in accordance with guidance on accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Amortization of software begins when it is ready for its intended use, and is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not to exceed twelve years. Capitalized software and hardware costs are classified as property on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying values of property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded value cannot be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows. Impairment losses, if any, would be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of January 1 or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. These conditions could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. The Company utilizes discounted cash flow models and market multiples for comparable businesses to determine the fair value of reporting units. Evaluating impairment requires significant judgment by management, including estimated future operating results, estimated future cash flows, the long-term rate of growth of the business, and determination of an appropriate discount rate. While the Company uses available information to prepare the estimates and evaluations, actual results could differ significantly. The Company recognizes acquired identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships, trade names, vendor relationships, and non-competition agreements apart from goodwill. Customer relationship identifiable intangibles are amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method or the expected cash flow method over estimated useful lives consistent with assumptions used in the determination of their value. Amortization of all other finite-lived identifiable intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated period of benefit. Amortization of identifiable intangible assets is included in selling, distribution and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment when changes in conditions indicate carrying value may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. The Company does not currently have any indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets.
Self-Insurance Liabilities	Self-Insurance Liabilities The Company maintains business insurance programs with significant self-insured retention covering workers’ compensation, business, automobile, general product liability and other claims. The Company accrues estimated losses including those incurred but not reported using actuarial calculations, models and assumptions based on historical loss experience. The Company also maintains a self-insured health benefits plan which provides medical benefits to U.S. based employees electing coverage under the plan. The Company estimates its reserve for all unpaid medical claims, including those incurred but not reported, based on historical experience, adjusted as necessary based upon management’s reasoned judgment.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Sales are recognized when there is evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed, collectibility is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer. Typically, these conditions are met when the product is shipped to the customer. The Company charges shipping and handling fees when products are shipped or delivered to a customer, and includes such amounts in net sales. The Company reports its sales net of actual sales returns and the amount of reserves established for anticipated sales returns based on historical rates. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying statements of consolidated income.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs The Company records freight payments to third parties in cost of sales and internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expenses were approximately $19,320, $20,060 and $21,480 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are determined based upon income and expenses recorded for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are recorded for estimated future tax effects of differences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes, giving consideration to enacted tax laws. Uncertain tax positions meeting a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740 - Income Taxes. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation represents the cost related to share-based awards granted to employees under the 2015 Long-Term Performance Plan, the 2011 Long-Term Performance Plan, or the 2007 Long-Term Performance Plan. The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period. Non-qualified stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and the fair values are determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. SARs and stock option awards generally vest over four years of continuous service and have ten-year contractual terms. The fair value of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares are based on the closing market price of Company common stock on the grant date.
Treasury Shares	Treasury Shares Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the weighted-average cost method for determining the cost of shares reissued. The difference between the cost of the shares and the reissuance price is added to or deducted from additional paid-in capital.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance	Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance Change in Accounting Principle - Net Periodic and Post-retirement Benefit Costs In March 2017, the FASB issued its final standard on improving the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs. This standard, issued as ASU 2017-07, requires that an employer report the service cost component for defined benefit plans and postretirement plans in the same line item in the income statement as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. This update is effective for annual financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The impact of the adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of the other components of net benefit cost from selling, distribution, and administrative expense to other (income) expense, net in the statements of consolidated income, resulting in an increase to operating income. There is no impact to income before income taxes, net income, or net income per share. Therefore, $143, $155, and $113 of service costs are included in selling, distribution and administrative expense, and $245, $796, and $981 of net other periodic post-employment costs are included in other (income) expense, net in the statements of consolidated income for the years ended June 30, 2018, and 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company used a practical expedient where the amounts disclosed in our Benefit Plans footnote for the prior year comparative periods were the basis for the estimation for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In January 2018, the FASB issued its final standard on reporting comprehensive income. The standard, issued as ASU 2018-02, allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 using the at the beginning of the period of adoption method. The impact of adoption was a reclassification of $471 from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. Change in Accounting Principle - Simplifying the test for Goodwill Impairment In January 2017, the FASB issued its final standard on simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. This standard, issued as ASU 2017-04, eliminates step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and instead requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This update is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and will apply this guidance prospectively to its annual and interim goodwill impairment tests.
New Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Guidance In May 2014, the FASB issued its final standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The standard, issued as ASU 2014-09, outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. The core principle of this model is that "an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services." In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 to delay the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. In accordance with the delay, the update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted, but not before financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10, and in May 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which clarify the guidance in ASU 2014-09 but do not change the core principle of the revenue recognition model. The Company has evaluated the provisions of the new standard and is in the process of assessing its impact on financial statements, information systems, business processes, and financial statement disclosures. We have substantially completed an analysis of revenue streams at each of the business units and are evaluating the impact the new standard will have on revenue recognition. The Company primarily sells purchased products and recognizes revenue at point of sale or delivery and the majority of its revenue will continue to be recognized at a point in time under the new standard. A small percentage of revenue will be recognized using an over time revenue recognition model. The new standard will be adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective method of adoption, and the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to opening retained earnings as of July 1, 2018. The standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, except for expanded disclosures on revenue in order to comply with the new guidance. The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of the adoption of the standard and these assessments are subject to change. In February 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on accounting for leases. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-02, requires that an entity that is a lessee recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The core principle of this update is that a "lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases." This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with earlier application permitted. The Company has established a cross-functional team to evaluate the new standard and has begun implementing new lease administration software. The Company is still determining the financial impact that this standard update will have on its consolidated financial statements, but anticipates it will have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to the consolidated balance sheet. The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of the adoption of the standard and these assessments are subject to change. In June 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-13, requires that an entity measure impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments within the statement of cash flows. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-15, makes a number of changes meant to add or clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-16, requires that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. This update is effective for annual and interim financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this standard when it becomes effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2017, the FASB issued its final standard on scope of modification accounting. This standard, issued as 2017-09, provides guidance about which change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. This update is effective for annual and interim financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.