<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>121</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>210</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>30</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTaxNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Net Income per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Activities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncementsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTaxTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTaxNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Net Income per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivities</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill Impairment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillImpairmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill Impairment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Other Intangibles Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsOtherIntangiblesAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Other Intangibles Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Text (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income, Text (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherComprehensiveIncomeTaxTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Net Income per Common Share - Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Per Share (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareReconciliationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorOfBasicAndDilutedPerShareDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income per Common Share - Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Per Share (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Net Income per Common Share - Additional Informations (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareAdditionalInformationsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income per Common Share - Additional Informations (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Reporting Information By Segment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Reporting Information By Segment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Segment Information - Net Income Reconciliation (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SegmentInformationNetIncomeReconciliationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information - Net Income Reconciliation (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Assumptions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockOptionAssumptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Assumptions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity under Company's Share-Based Compensation Plans (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfActivityUnderCompanysShareBasedCompensationPlansDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity under Company's Share-Based Compensation Plans (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/StockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesAccountedForAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesFairValuesOfDerivativeInstrumentsInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="brc-20170430.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.bradycorp.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>brc-20170430.xml</File>
    <File>brc-20170430.xsd</File>
    <File>brc-20170430_cal.xml</File>
    <File>brc-20170430_def.xml</File>
    <File>brc-20170430_lab.xml</File>
    <File>brc-20170430_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
