Earnings Per Share - Computations of Earnings Loss Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 40.9	$ 46.3
Less: Noncontrolling interest	0.3	0.4
Income from continuing operations for EPS	40.6	45.9
Loss from discontinued operations	(0.6)	(5.1)
Net income attributable to Fortune Brands	$ 40.0us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 40.8us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.26	$ 0.28
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to Fortune Brands common stockholders	$ 0.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.25	$ 0.27
Discontinued operations		$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to Fortune Brands common stockholders	$ 0.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.24us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Basic average shares outstanding	158.8	166.2
Stock-based awards	3.8	5.0
Diluted average shares outstanding	162.6	171.2
Antidilutive stock-based awards excluded from weighted-average number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	0.8	0.2

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Per basic share amount, after tax, of income (loss) from the day-to-day business activities of the discontinued operation and gain (loss) from the disposal of the discontinued operation.

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Per diluted share amount, after tax, of income (loss) from the day-to-day business activities of the discontinued operation and gain (loss) from the disposal of the discontinued operation.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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