XML 60 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
May 08, 2016 | Feb. 14, 2016 | Nov. 22, 2015 | May 10, 2015 | Feb. 15, 2015 | [1] | Nov. 23, 2014 | Aug. 28, 2016 | Aug. 30, 2015 | Aug. 28, 2016 | Aug. 30, 2015 | Aug. 31, 2014 | Apr. 17, 2015
Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payment of dividends |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 746,000,000 | $ 2,865,000,000 | $ 584,000,000 |
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 3,222,000,000 |  | $ 3,222,000,000 |  |  |
Dividends declared | $ 0.45 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.40 | $ 5.355 | $ 0.355 | $ 0.45 | $ 0.40 | $ 1.70 | $ 6.51 | $ 1.33 |
Previously authorized but unused share repurchase amounts revoked |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,528,000,000
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,000,000,000
Special Dividend [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity And Comprehensive Income [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payment of dividends |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,201,000,000 |  |
Dividends paid per share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5 |  |
[1] | Includes the special cash dividend of $5.00 per share paid in February 2015.

X
- Definition Previously authorized but unused share repurchase amounts revoked. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cost_PreviouslyAuthorizedButUnusedShareRepurchaseAmountsRevoked
Namespace Prefix: | cost_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cost_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | cost_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Cash outflow in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of stock repurchase plan authorized. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount remaining of a stock repurchase plan authorized. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | cost_DividendsPaidAxis=cost_SpecialDividendMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |