General - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Nov. 17, 2012
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Description of reporting periods	Operating results for the twelve weeks ended November 17, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2013. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone's fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2012 had 16 weeks and for fiscal 2013 has 17 weeks. Additionally, the Company's business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.

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