Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
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		132,636,175
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 4,956,390,941
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No