Earnings Per Share - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 12.2	$ 46.7	$ 77.5	$ 110.5
Cash dividends	24.7	24.6	73.8	73.6
Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ (12.5)	$ 22.1	$ 3.7	$ 36.9
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	25,576,452	25,435,379	25,529,049	25,380,754
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	25,581,390	25,464,862	25,539,636	25,409,091
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.80	$ 1.32	$ 1.89
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.80	$ 1.32	$ 1.89
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 1.26	$ 1.26
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	22,119,966	22,119,966	22,119,966	22,119,966
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	22,119,966	22,119,966	22,119,966	22,119,966
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 0.31	$ 1.20	$ 1.98	$ 2.83
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 0.31	$ 1.20	$ 1.98	$ 2.83
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 1.88	$ 1.88