CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,312	$ 4,182	$ 8,547	$ 8,273
Cost of goods sold	2,618	2,538	5,185	4,995
Gross profit	1,694	1,644	3,362	3,278
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,045	983	2,044	1,937
Operating earnings	649	661	1,318	1,341
Other expense (income):
Interest expense – net	20	24	41	48
Other – net	(7)	(8)	(14)	(14)
Total other expense – net	13	16	27	34
Earnings before income taxes	636	645	1,291	1,307
Income tax provision	146	155	304	309
Net earnings	490	490	987	998
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	20	20	39	40
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.	$ 470	$ 470	$ 948	$ 958
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 9.54	$ 9.32	$ 19.20	$ 18.98
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 9.51	$ 9.28	$ 19.13	$ 18.89
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	49.0	50.1	49.1	50.2
Diluted (in shares)	49.2	50.3	49.3	50.4