Equities Changes in Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,165,028	$ 8,165,028	$ 7,705,640
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates		24,072	1,561
Patronage Refunds			(1,561)
Redemptions of equities		(24,072)	(84,334)
Preferred stock dividends		(84,334)
Other, net		3,319	2,044
Net income (loss)		347,115	187,182
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.		347,504	187,646
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(389)	(464)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		389	3,019
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds		(89,344)	(50,702)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions		(50,081)	(19,901)
Ending Balance		8,292,092	7,742,948
Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,837,580	3,837,580	3,906,426
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates		24,072	1,561
Patronage Refunds			(1,449)
Redemptions of equities		(22,004)	0
Other, net		(409)	(1,498)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions		(50,081)	(19,901)
Ending Balance		3,789,158	3,885,139
Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	29,498	29,498	29,836
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates		0	0
Patronage Refunds			(53)
Redemptions of equities		(183)	0
Other, net			(66)
Ending Balance		29,315	29,717
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	742,378	742,378	405,387
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates		0	0
Patronage Refunds			(59)
Redemptions of equities		(1,885)	0
Other, net		(26)	(344)
Ending Balance		740,467	404,984
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038
Patronage Refunds			0
Redemptions of equities		0	0
Ending Balance		2,264,038	2,264,038
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(199,915)	(199,915)	(180,360)
Patronage Refunds			0
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments		4,706
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		389	3,019
Ending Balance		(204,232)	(177,341)
Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,482,003	1,482,003	1,267,808
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates		0	0
Patronage Refunds			0
Redemptions of equities			(84,334)
Preferred stock dividends		(84,334)
Other, net		3,436	3,954
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.		347,504	187,646
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds		(89,344)	(50,702)
Ending Balance		1,663,971	1,324,372
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9,446	9,446	12,505
Patronage Refunds			0
Other, net		318	(2)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(389)	(464)
Ending Balance		9,375	$ 12,039
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments	$ 4,700	0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments		(4,706)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 | Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments		4,706
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments		$ 0