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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSSES) (AOCE) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance $ 2,060 $ 2,093 $ 1,828
Net current period activity 105 20 (48)
Ending balance 2,093 2,060 2,093
Foreign Currency Translation and Other      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance (238) (264) (223)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 36 25 (43)
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings 47 1 2
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     0
Net current period activity 83 26 (41)
Ending balance (155) (238) (264)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance (167) (187) (154)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 69 30 (40)
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings 36 (10) (8)
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     15
Net current period activity 105 20 (33)
Ending balance (62) (167) (187)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance (13) (16) (19)
Ending balance (1) (13) (16)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 12 3 3
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings 0 0 0
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     0
Net current period activity 12 3 3
AOCE Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance (154) (171) (135)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 57 27 (43)
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings 36 (10) (8)
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     15
Net current period activity 93 17 (36)
Ending balance (61) (154) (171)
Defined Postretirement Benefit Plan | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance 79 82 73
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 33 8 4
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings (11) (11) (10)
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     15
Net current period activity 22 (3) 9
Ending balance 101 79 82
Other Employment-related Benefit Plans | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]      
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]      
Beginning balance (8) (5) (4)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax 0 (3) (1)
Amounts reclassified to Net earnings 0 0 0
Amounts reclassified to Retained earnings     0
Net current period activity 0 (3) (1)
Ending balance $ (8) $ (8) $ (5)