Earnings Per Share - Computation Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 40.9	$ 39.4	$ 65.8	$ 61.1
Cash dividends	24.6	24.5	49.0	48.8
Undistributed net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 16.3	$ 14.9	$ 16.8	$ 12.3
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	25,390,486	25,149,691	25,353,441	25,101,280
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	25,434,185	25,291,095	25,394,403	25,235,703
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 0.70	$ 0.68	$ 1.13	$ 1.05
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 0.70	$ 0.67	$ 1.13	$ 1.05
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 0.84	$ 0.84
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Denominator for basic EPS
Denominator for basic EPS	22,119,966	22,120,666	119,966	22,120,816
Denominator for diluted EPS
Denominator for diluted EPS	22,119,966	22,120,666	119,966	22,120,816
EPS Basic
EPS Basic	$ 1.05	$ 1.01	$ 1.68	$ 1.57
EPS Diluted
EPS Diluted	$ 1.05	$ 1.01	$ 1.68	$ 1.57
Dividends per share
Dividends per share	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 1.25	$ 1.25

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