Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 36.8	$ 50.9	$ 60.7	$ 92.3
Cash dividends	24.5	24.5	48.8	48.8
Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc	$ 12.3	$ 26.4	$ 11.9	$ 43.5
Class A common stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	25.1	24.8	25.1	24.8
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	25.3	25.1	25.2	25.1
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 0.63	$ 0.87	$ 1.05	$ 1.58
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 0.63	$ 0.87	$ 1.04	$ 1.58
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 0.84	$ 0.84
Class B common stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	22.1	22.4	22.1	22.4
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	22.1	22.4	22.1	22.4
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 0.95	$ 1.31	$ 1.56	$ 2.37
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 0.95	$ 1.31	$ 1.56	$ 2.37
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 1.25	$ 1.25

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