XML 13 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2019
Feb. 25, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jan. 31, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Trading Symbol GEF  
Entity Registrant Name GREIF INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000043920  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Class A Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   26,232,799
Class B Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   22,007,725