Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012 customer state	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Approximate number of customers in 50 states	1,000,000
Number of subsidiaries	2
Number of states in which operating partnership serves	50
General partner interest in the operating partnership	1.00%
Revenue recognized over a straight-line basis, term	1 year
Non-cash compensation charges	$ 8,843,000	$ 13,488,000	$ 7,831,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Approximate number of customers in 50 states	1,000,000
Number of states in which operating partnership serves	50
General partner interest in the operating partnership	1.00%
Revenue recognized over a straight-line basis, term	1 year
Non-cash compensation charges	8,843,000	13,488,000	7,831,000
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	2 years
Intangible asset useful life	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	2 years
Intangible asset useful life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	30 years
Intangible asset useful life	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	30 years
Intangible asset useful life	15 years
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options	1,350,000
Maximum number of units common units under the UOP officer or director of general partner may acquire	314,895
Term till award expiration	10 years
Non-cash compensation charges	8,000	13,000	23,000
Number of options granted	300,000
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options	1,350,000
Maximum number of units common units under the UOP officer or director of general partner may acquire	314,895
Term till award expiration	10 years
Non-cash compensation charges	8,000	13,000	23,000
Number of options granted	300,000
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
Ferrelgas Unit Option Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options	9,250,000
Non-cash compensation charges	8,800,000	13,500,000	7,800,000
Stock options, percent to vest upon event	100.00%
Retirement age	65
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be issued as options	9,250,000
Non-cash compensation charges	8,800,000	13,500,000	7,800,000
Stock options, percent to vest upon event	100.00%
Retirement age	65
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	0 years
Term till award expiration	10 years
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	0 years
Term till award expiration	10 years
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	12 years
Term till award expiration	15 years
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Award vesting period	12 years
Term till award expiration	15 years
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Consolidated subsidiary accounts receivable pledged as collateral		107,900,000
Consolidated subsidiary other assets		600,000
Consolidated subsidiary notes payable		47,000,000
Consolidated subsidiary notes receivable derecognized		44,900,000
Consolidated subsidiary retained interest derecognized		15,300,000
Consolidated subsidiary cumulative effect change in accounting principle		1,300,000
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Consolidated subsidiary accounts receivable pledged as collateral		107,900,000
Consolidated subsidiary other assets		600,000
Consolidated subsidiary notes payable		47,000,000
Consolidated subsidiary notes receivable derecognized		44,900,000
Consolidated subsidiary retained interest derecognized		15,300,000
Consolidated subsidiary cumulative effect change in accounting principle		$ 1,300,000