Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per common share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Accounts receivable, sales transactions fees Accounts Receivable, Sales Transactions Fees Accounts Receivable, Sales Transactions Fees Maximum Maximum [Member] Range [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Other Other Customers [Member] Other Customers [Member] Stock-based compensation expense, net Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense, after Tax Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Class A Common Stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 57,166,810 and 57,086,377 shares issued, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Reportable Segment Reportable Segment [Member] Reportable Segment Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Unamortized debt issuance costs, current Debt Issuance Costs, Gross, Current Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Provision for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Incremental Dividend Rights, Restricted Stock Units Incremental Dividend Rights Restricted Stock Units [Member] Incremental Dividend Rights, Restricted Stock Units [Member] Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount Foreign currency translation adjustments Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Common stock, par value (in usd per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Identifiable intangibles, net Intangible Asset, Excluding Goodwill, after Accumulated Amortization Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Basic (in shares) Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic net income per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Amended Uncommitted Credit Facilities Amended Uncommitted Facilities [Member] Amended Uncommitted Facilities [Member] Public Sector Customers Public Sector Customers [Member] Public Sector Customers Committed Bank Facility Committed Credit Facility [Member] Committed Credit Facility [Member] Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Granted (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period MSC Import Export LLC MSC Import Export LLC [Member] MSC Import Export LLC Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Operating Margin Operating Margin Operating Margin Accounts Receivable Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Receivables [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Vested (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Manufacturing Light Manufacturing Light [Member] Manufacturing Light [Member] Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Less: unamortized debt issuance costs Debt Issuance Costs, Gross Line of credit facility, interest rate at period end (in percentage) Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark [Member] Payments of regular cash dividends Payments of regular cash dividends Payments of Ordinary Dividends Proceeds from sale of Class A Common Stock in connection with Associate Stock Purchase Plan Proceeds from Stock Plans Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] United States UNITED STATES Government Assistance, Income, Increase (Decrease), Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Government Assistance, Income, Increase (Decrease), Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Class A treasury stock, at cost, 1,320,624 and 1,296,625 shares, respectively Treasury Stock, Value Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting [Table Text Block] Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Core and Other Customers Core and Other Customers [Member] Core and Other Customers Payments under credit facilities Repayments of Lines of Credit Accrued sales returns Accrued sales returns Accrued sales returns Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Net cash used in investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Debt instrument, face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Loss on disposal of property Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties Net income per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Shareholders' Equity Equity [Text Block] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Credit facility, expiration term (in years) Debt Instrument, Term Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease) Fiscal Year Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net Income per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Net income per common share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Treasury stock, shares repurchased to satisfy tax withholding obligation (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Withheld For Tax Withholding Obligation Treasury Stock, Shares Withheld For Tax Withholding Obligation Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Total liabilities Liabilities Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Expenditures for property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items] Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items] Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Ownership percentage Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent Number of credit facilities Number Of Credit Facilities Number Of Credit Facilities Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Commercial Services Commercial [Member] Commercial [Member] Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Individual: Individual [Axis] Diluted (in shares) Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted net income per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Dividend payable amount Dividends Borrowings under credit facilities Proceeds from lines of credit Proceeds from Lines of Credit Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Senior Notes, Series B, Due July 28, 2026 Senior Notes Series B Senior Notes Two [Member] Senior Notes Two [Member] Dividend equivalents declared, net of cancellations Dividend, Share-Based Payment Arrangement Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Uncommitted Credit Facilities Short-Term Debt Financing Arrangement Financing Arrangement [Member] Financing Arrangement Gross profit Gross Profit Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Adjustment Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Associate severance and separation costs Severance Costs Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Total debt, including obligations under finance leases Debt and Lease Obligation Prepaid sales incentives Revenue recognition, Prepaid sales incentives Revenue recognition, Prepaid sales incentives Effective tax rate (in percentage) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Associate Incentive Plans Shares Granted, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Beginning balance (in usd per share) Ending balance (in usd per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Repurchase and retirement of Class A Common Stock, including excise tax Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Operating lease liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Lease Liability Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Operating lease assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Retail/Wholesale Retail Wholesale [Member] Retail/Wholesale [Member] MSC Industrial Supply S De RL De CV MSC Industrial Supply S De RL De CV [Member] MSC Industrial Supply S De RL De CV Financing obligations, current Financing obligations, current Financing obligations, current Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Common Share Under Treasury Stock Method Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Current portion of debt including obligations under finance leases Less: current portion Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Government assistance, liability, current Government Assistance, Liability, Current Segment Reporting Segment Reporting [Text Block] Amended Revolving Credit Facility Outstanding balance Long-Term Line of Credit Minimum Minimum [Member] Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Denominator: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Total shareholders’ equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] National Account Customers National Account Customers [Member] National Account Customers Amended Revolving Credit Facility Amended Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Amended Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Business Combination [Line Items] Business Combination [Line Items] Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table] Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table] Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Uncommitted Bank Facilities Uncommitted Credit Facility [Member] Uncommitted Credit Facility [Member] Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Restructuring Cost [Table] Accounts receivable, collateral, unsold receivables, amount Accounts Receivable, Collateral, Unsold Receivables, Amount Accounts Receivable, Collateral, Unsold Receivables, Amount Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Line Items] Segment Reporting [Line Items] Unrecognized share-based compensation cost Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Cash collected on sold receivables under the RPA Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Receivables Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Restructuring Charges Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Beginning balance Ending balance Restructuring Reserve Business Combination [Table] Business Combination [Table] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, Transaction between Entities under Common Control, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract] Contract with customer, refund liability Contract with Customer, Refund Liability Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Interest rate (in percentage) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Regular cash dividends declared on Class A Common Stock Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Total MSC Industrial shareholders’ equity Equity, Attributable to Parent Total other expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Obligations under finance leases Finance Lease, Liability Financing arrangements Financing Obligations Interest free short-term borrowings. Other, net Proceeds from (Payment for) Other Financing Activity Less: allowance for credit losses Less: allowance for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Performance share units Performance Shares [Member] Number of shares authorized for repurchase (in shares) Share Repurchase Program, Authorized, Number of Shares Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Repayment of loan facility Repayments of Debt Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Letter of Credit Letter of Credit [Member] Other foreign countries Other Foreign Countries [Member] Other Foreign Countries Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Increase in amount authorized for sale Accounts Receivable, Increase (Decrease) In Amount Authorized For Sale Accounts Receivable, Increase (Decrease) In Amount Authorized For Sale Number of operating segments Number of Operating Segments Potentially dilutive securities (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Restricted stock units Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Legal Proceedings Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] MSC Industrial Shareholders’ Equity: Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Table] Share Repurchase Program [Table] Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Share Repurchase Plan Share Repurchase Plan [Member] Share Repurchase Plan City Area Code City Area Code Income Tax Examination [Line Items] Income Tax Examination [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Manufacturing Heavy Manufacturing Heavy [Member] Manufacturing Heavy [Member] Geographic Concentration Risk Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Non-cash operating lease cost Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Periodic Reduction Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Unrecognized share-based compensation weighted average period (in years) Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Available increase in amount borrowed Available Increase In Aggregate Amount Borrowed Available increase in aggregate amount borrowed Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Total assets Assets Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Nonoperating Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets PEO PEO [Member] Line of credit facility, maximum amount outstanding during period Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period Goodwill Goodwill Purchasers Purchasers [Member] Purchasers Incremental Dividend Rights Performance Stock Units Incremental Dividend Rights Performance Stock Units [Member] Incremental Dividend Rights, Performance Stock Units [Member] Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Granted (in usd per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Noncurrent operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Operating expenses Operating Expenses Forfeited (in usd per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Diluted (in usd per share) Diluted (in usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Net cash used in financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Vested shares, percentage of target award amount (in percentage) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Vested Shares, Percentage of Target Award Amount Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Vested Shares, Percentage of Target Award Amount Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Net sales Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant, and Equipment, after Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Receivables Purchase Agreement Receivables Purchase Agreement [Member] Receivables Purchase Agreement Schedule of Restructuring Related Liabilities Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block] Net proceeds from sale of property Proceeds from Sale, Property, Held-for-Sale Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties Deferred Income Taxes and Other Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Senior Notes Due April 18, 2027 Senior Notes Due April182027 [Member] Senior Notes Due April182027 Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Coronavirus Aid Relief And Economic Security Act Coronavirus Aid Relief And Economic Security Act [Member] Coronavirus Aid Relief And Economic Security Act Segment Reporting [Table] Segment Reporting [Table] Accrual for exercise tax on share repurchase Share Repurchase Program, Excise Tax Senior notes, Due March 5, 2027 Senior Notes Due March52027 [Member] Senior notes, due March 5, 2027 [Member] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Income from operations Operating Income (Loss) Performance obligation Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Payment term Revenue, Performance Obligation, Payment Terms Revenue, Performance Obligation, Payment Terms Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Acquisitions Business Combination [Text Block] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] Unusual Risk or Uncertainty, Nature [Domain] Unusual Risk or Uncertainty, Nature [Domain] Dividends declared per common share (in usd per share) Dividends declared per common share (in usd per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Entity File Number Entity File Number Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Income Tax, Examination [Table] Income Tax, Examination [Table] Schedule of Performance Share Unit Activity Schedule of Nonvested Performance-Based Units Activity [Table Text Block] Property, plant and equipment asset impairment Asset, Impairment Loss Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Restructuring and other costs Restructuring Costs Common stock, shares, issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Measure: Measure [Axis] Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Total adjustments Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, amount authorized for sale Accounts Receivable, Amount Authorized For Sale Accounts Receivable, Amount Authorized For Sale Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Class A Common Stock Common Class A [Member] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Finance lease, liability, current Finance Lease, Liability, Current Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net loss (income) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Comprehensive income attributable to MSC Industrial Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Maximum number of shares that can be repurchased (in shares) Share Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized, Number of Shares Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Employee retention credit claims Government Assistance, Nonoperating Income, Increase (Decrease) Additions Consulting and severance costs Consulting and severance costs Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Document Type Document Type Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Legal Proceedings [Abstract] Legal Proceedings [Abstract] Legal Proceedings [Abstract] Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Consulting-related costs Consulting Related Costs [Member] Consulting Related Costs [Member] Canada CANADA Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Income before provision for income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Schedule of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Unit Award Activity Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block] Vesting period (in years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Inventories Inventory, Net Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Amortization of cloud computing arrangements Hosting Arrangement, Service Contract, Implementation Cost, Capitalized, Amortization Expense PEO Name PEO Name Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability Cash paid for income taxes Income Tax Paid, before Refund Received Other segment items Segment Reporting, Other Segment Item, Amount Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Deferred income tax benefit Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Repurchase of Class A Common Stock, including excise tax Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Payments and other adjustments Payments for Restructuring Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents—end of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Consulting-related costs Restructuring Charges, Consulting Related Costs Restructuring Charges, Consulting Related Costs Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Cash used in acquisitions Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Payroll and payroll-related costs Labor and Related Expense Receivables sold under the RPA Accounts Receivable, Sale Schedule of Debt Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Purchase of noncontrolling interest Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Basic (in usd per share) Basic (in usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Repurchases of Class A Common Stock Repurchases of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Total current assets Assets, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $23,884 and $22,365, respectively Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Non-cash changes in fair value of estimated contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Change in Contingent Consideration, Liability, Increase (Decrease) Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Associate severance and separation costs Employee Severance [Member] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Private Placement Debt Private Placement Debt [Member] Private Placement Debt [Member] Reclassifications Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment [Policy Text Block] Concentration risk, percentage Concentration Risk, Percentage Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Equity award acceleration costs associated with severance Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Accelerated Cost Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Noncontrolling interest Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Total Restructuring and other costs Restructuring Charges Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Unusual Risk or Uncertainty, Nature [Axis] Unusual Risk or Uncertainty, Nature [Axis] Total Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to MSC Industrial Parent [Member] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Shareholders’ Equity: Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Foreign currency translation adjustments Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Expenditures for cloud computing arrangements Payments For Cloud Computing Arrangements Payments For Cloud Computing Arrangements Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock; $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage acquired Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage Acquired Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage Acquired Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Cash paid for interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Stock issued during period, shares, employee stock ownership plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Ownership Plan Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Restructuring and Other Costs Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Long-term debt including obligations under finance leases Total long-term debt, including obligations under finance leases Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Name Measure Name Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Mexico MEXICO Public Sector Public Sector [Member] Public Sector Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Stock repurchased during period, including held in treasury (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Including Treasury Stock, Shares Stock Repurchased During Period, Including Treasury Stock, Shares Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Schedule of Activity and Amounts Outstanding Under the RPA Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables, Sales [Table Text Block] Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables, Sales Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Two Net income Net income, as reported Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Vested (in usd per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value North America North America [Member] Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Customer Concentration Risk Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Cost of goods sold Cost of Product and Service Sold Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Long-Term Note Payable Notes Payable, Noncurrent Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net income attributable to MSC Industrial Net income (loss) Net income attributable to MSC Industrial, as reported Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Interest income Investment Income, Interest Freight expense Freight Expense Freight Expense Debt Instruments [Abstract] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block]