XML 19 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2015
Dec. 16, 2015
Apr. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Oct. 31, 2015    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol GEF    
Entity Registrant Name GREIF INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000043920    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Class A Common Stock [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   25,693,564  
Entity Public Float     $ 998,275,979
Class B Common Stock [Member]      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   22,119,966  
Entity Public Float     $ 262,993,353