Components of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
May 06, 2012	May 08, 2011	May 06, 2012	May 08, 2011
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 405	$ 341	$ 1,145	$ 1,042
Unrealized gain/(loss) on short-term investments	(1)	3	(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other	6	161	(70)	424
Comprehensive income	410	505	1,073	1,466
Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(11)	(37)
Comprehensive income attributable to Costco	$ 399	$ 468

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

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- Definition

Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain (loss), net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain (loss) at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains (losses) realized upon the sale of securities, after tax; and (3) the unrealized gains (losses) realized upon the write-down of securities, after tax.

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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