| Document And Entity Information | Mar. 25, 2020 |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity, Registrant Name | H.B. Fuller Company |
| Document, Type | 8-K |
| Document, Period End Date | Mar. 25, 2020 |
| Entity, Incorporation, State or Country Code | MN |
| Entity, File Number | 001-09225 |
| Entity, Tax Identification Number | 41-0268370 |
| Entity, Address, Address Line One | 1200 Willow Lake Boulevard |
| Entity, Address, Address Line Two | P.O. Box 64683 |
| Entity, Address, City or Town | St. Paul |
| Entity, Address, State or Province | MN |
| Entity, Address, Postal Zip Code | 55164-0683 |
| City Area Code | 651 |
| Local Phone Number | 236-5900 |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock |
| Trading Symbol | FUL |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity, Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity, Central Index Key | 0000039368 |
