Note 10 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 02, 2017		Aug. 27, 2016		Sep. 02, 2017	Aug. 27, 2016
Other comprehensive income (loss), pretax		$ 31,417		$ 6,025		$ 44,433	$ 11,408
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax		(777)		(935)		(2,491)	(2,642)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		30,640		5,090		41,942	8,766
Other comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(12)				(11)
Comprehensive income (loss)		55,778		37,835		107,742	93,760
Comprehensive income (loss), non-controlling interests		(11)		53		23	161
Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller		25,138		32,745		65,800	84,994
Net income including non-controlling interests		1		53		34	161
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, pretax	[1]	29,102		3,368		37,095	3,860
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, tax	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹	[1]	29,102		3,368		37,095	3,860
Foreign currency translation adjustment¹, non-controlling interests	[1]	(12)				(11)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², pretax		2,459	[2]	2,585	[2]	7,279	7,755	[2]
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment², tax	[2]	(832)		(908)		(2,469)	(2,723)
Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²	[2]	1,627		1,677		4,810	5,032
Interest rate swap³, pretax	[3]	16		16		48	45
Interest rate swap³, tax	[3]	(6)		(6)		(18)	(15)
Interest rate swap³	[3]	10		10		30	30
Cash-flow hedges³, pretax	[3]	(160)		56		11	(252)
Cash-flow hedges³, tax	[3]	61		(21)		(4)	96
Cash-flow hedges³	[3]	$ (99)		$ 35		$ 7	$ (156)

[1] Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 1, the foreign currency translation adjustment for the quarter and nine months ended September 2, 2017 includes the impact of the change in functional currency for our subsidiaries in Latin America.

[2] Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into earnings as part of net periodic cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans is reported in cost of sales, SG&A expense and special charges, net.

[3] Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in other income (expense), net.