Business Segment Information (Schedule of Information by Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 651,500	$ 660,000	$ 631,300	$ 590,000	$ 561,500	$ 556,000	$ 522,400	$ 499,100	$ 2,532,800	$ 2,139,000	$ 1,966,800
Operating income (loss)									403,100	429,100	324,100
Interest expense									82,700	33,400	26,200
Other expense, net									(11,500)	1,700	2,300
Income before income taxes	112,700	$ 90,400	$ 54,000	$ 74,800	96,600	$ 107,700	$ 109,500	$ 80,100	331,900	394,000	295,600
Identifiable assets	6,112,800				4,858,700				6,112,800	4,858,700	4,478,600
Depreciation expense									128,400	120,000	137,500
Amortization expense									146,700	68,400	60,800
Capital expenditures									193,600	127,200	152,600
Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,882,000	1,674,100	1,577,200
Operating income (loss)									479,800	418,400	309,800
Identifiable assets	3,746,000				3,562,600				3,746,000	3,562,600	3,382,400
Depreciation expense									120,100	115,000	131,300
Amortization expense									43,600	36,700	40,100
Capital expenditures									178,400	108,200	142,800
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									650,800	464,900	389,600
Operating income (loss)									(19,900)	58,500	60,200
Identifiable assets	2,201,700				1,107,500				2,201,700	1,107,500	907,100
Depreciation expense									8,100	4,700	5,900
Amortization expense									103,100	31,700	20,700
Capital expenditures									15,100	18,900	9,800
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									(56,800)	(47,800)	(45,900)
Identifiable assets	$ 165,100				$ 188,600				165,100	188,600	189,100
Depreciation expense									200	300	300
Amortization expense									0	0	0
Capital expenditures									$ 100	$ 100	$ 0