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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSSES) (AOCE) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	$ (221,091)
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation	0	$ 0	$ (9,042)
Net current period activity	(50,297)	(124,950)	(135,467)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	(272,294)	(221,091)
Foreign Currency Translation
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(276,416)	(122,320)	(7,297)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(38,729)	(154,096)	(124,065)
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation	0	0	9,042
Tax impact from reclassification of foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Net current period activity	(38,729)	(154,096)	(115,023)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	(315,145)	(276,416)	(122,320)
Defined Postretirement Benefit Plan
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	35,353	8,148	34,887
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(6,022)	30,451	(22,667)
Reclassification of postretirement and other employment-related benefit plans	(6,559)	(5,289)	(6,617)
Tax impact from reclassification of postretirement and other-employment related benefit plans	2,525	2,043	2,545
Net current period activity	(10,056)	27,205	(26,739)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	25,297	35,353	8,148
Other Employment-related Benefit Plans
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(2,661)	(3,302)	(8,811)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(2,397)	641	(1,462)
Reclassification of postretirement and other employment-related benefit plans	0	0	9,295
Tax impact from reclassification of postretirement and other-employment related benefit plans	0	0	(2,324)
Net current period activity	(2,397)	641	5,509
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	(5,058)	(2,661)	(3,302)
Other
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(885)	(2,185)	(2,971)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	885	1,300	786
Reclassification of other	0	0	0
Tax impact from reclassification of other		0	0
Net current period activity	885	1,300	786
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	0	(885)	(2,185)
Total AOCE (before NCI)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(244,609)	(119,659)	15,808
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(46,263)	(121,704)	(147,408)
Total reclassifications	(6,559)	(5,289)	11,720
Total tax impact from all reclassifications	2,525	2,043	221
Net current period activity	(50,297)	(124,950)	(135,467)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	(294,906)	(244,609)	(119,659)
Foreign Currency Translation Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(23,518)	(22,986)	(13,106)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	906	(532)	(9,880)
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation	0	0	0
Tax impact from reclassification of foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Net current period activity	906	(532)	(9,880)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	(22,612)	(23,518)	(22,986)
AOCE Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), beginning balance	(221,091)	(96,673)	28,914
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(47,169)	(121,172)	(137,528)
Total reclassifications	(6,559)	(5,289)	11,720
Total tax impact from all reclassifications	2,525	2,043	221
Net current period activity	(51,203)	(124,418)	(125,587)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses), ending balance	$ (272,294)	$ (221,091)	$ (96,673)

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