Debt, Derivatives and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2016
Debt, Derivatives and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Debt, Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Debt, Derivatives and Hedging Activities Cintas' senior notes are recorded at cost. The fair value of the senior notes is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on general market prices. The carrying value and fair value of Cintas' senior notes as of February 29, 2016 were $1,300.0 million and $1,408.9 million, respectively, and as of May 31, 2015 were $1,300.0 million and $1,418.6 million, respectively. Cintas’ commercial paper program has a capacity of $300.0 million that is fully supported by a backup revolving credit facility through a credit agreement with its banking group. This revolving credit facility has an accordion feature that allows for a maximum borrowing capacity of $450.0 million and has a maturity date of May 28, 2019. No commercial paper or borrowings on our revolving credit facility were outstanding as of February 29, 2016 or May 31, 2015. Cintas uses interest rate locks to manage our overall interest expense as interest rate locks effectively change the interest rate of specific debt issuances. The treasury locks are entered into to protect against unfavorable movements in the benchmark treasury rate related to forecasted debt issuances. Cintas used interest rate lock agreements to hedge against movements in the treasury rates at the time Cintas issued its senior notes in fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2013. The amortization of the cash flow hedges resulted in an increase to other comprehensive income of $0.5 million for the three months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 and $1.5 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015. During the quarter ending February 29, 2016, Cintas entered into an interest rate lock agreement with a notional value of $550.0 million for a forecasted debt issuance. As of February 29, 2016, the fair value of this treasury lock was $22.4 million and is recorded in long-term liabilities and other comprehensive income, net of tax. The interest rate lock had no impact on net income or cash flows from continuing operations for the three months ending February 29, 2016. To hedge the exposure of movements in the foreign currency rates, Cintas may use foreign currency hedges. These hedges reduce the impact on cash flows from movements in the foreign currency exchange rates. Examples of foreign currency hedge instruments that Cintas may use are average rate options and forward contracts. Cintas had no foreign currency forward contracts as of February 29, 2016 or May 31, 2015. Cintas has certain covenants related to debt agreements. These covenants limit Cintas’ ability to incur certain liens, to engage in sale-leaseback transactions and to merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of Cintas’ assets. These covenants also require Cintas to maintain certain debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and interest coverage ratios. Cross-default provisions exist between certain debt instruments. Cintas was in compliance with all debt covenants for all periods presented. If a default of a significant covenant were to occur, the default could result in an acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness, impair liquidity and limit the ability to raise future capital.

Debt, Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Cintas' senior notes are recorded at cost. The fair value of the senior notes is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on general market prices. The carrying value and fair value of Cintas' senior notes as of February 29, 2016 were $1,300.0 million and $1,408.9 million, respectively, and as of May 31, 2015 were $1,300.0 million and $1,418.6 million, respectively.

Cintas’ commercial paper program has a capacity of $300.0 million that is fully supported by a backup revolving credit facility through a credit agreement with its banking group. This revolving credit facility has an accordion feature that allows for a maximum borrowing capacity of $450.0 million and has a maturity date of May 28, 2019. No commercial paper or borrowings on our revolving credit facility were outstanding as of February 29, 2016 or May 31, 2015.

Cintas uses interest rate locks to manage our overall interest expense as interest rate locks effectively change the interest rate of specific debt issuances. The treasury locks are entered into to protect against unfavorable movements in the benchmark treasury rate related to forecasted debt issuances. Cintas used interest rate lock agreements to hedge against movements in the treasury rates at the time Cintas issued its senior notes in fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2013. The amortization of the cash flow hedges resulted in an increase to other comprehensive income of $0.5 million for the three months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 and $1.5 million for the nine months ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015. During the quarter ending February 29, 2016, Cintas entered into an interest rate lock agreement with a notional value of $550.0 million for a forecasted debt issuance. As of February 29, 2016, the fair value of this treasury lock was $22.4 million and is recorded in long-term liabilities and other comprehensive income, net of tax. The interest rate lock had no impact on net income or cash flows from continuing operations for the three months ending February 29, 2016.

To hedge the exposure of movements in the foreign currency rates, Cintas may use foreign currency hedges. These hedges reduce the impact on cash flows from movements in the foreign currency exchange rates. Examples of foreign currency hedge instruments that Cintas may use are average rate options and forward contracts. Cintas had no foreign currency forward contracts as of February 29, 2016 or May 31, 2015.

Cintas has certain covenants related to debt agreements. These covenants limit Cintas’ ability to incur certain liens, to engage in sale-leaseback transactions and to merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of Cintas’ assets. These covenants also require Cintas to maintain certain debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and interest coverage ratios. Cross-default provisions exist between certain debt instruments. Cintas was in compliance with all debt covenants for all periods presented. If a default of a significant covenant were to occur, the default could result in an acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness, impair liquidity and limit the ability to raise future capital.