Earnings Per Share - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 46.1	$ 8.6	$ 66.4	$ 59.5
Cash dividends	(24.7)	(24.8)	(74.0)	(74.0)
Undistributed net (loss) income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 21.4	$ (16.2)	$ (7.6)	$ (14.5)