Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	DONALDSON CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000029644
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	74,111,112