v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Nov. 25, 2012
Dec. 14, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Nov. 25, 2012  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Trading Symbol COST  
Entity Registrant Name COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW  
Entity Central Index Key 0000909832  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-01  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   435,636,480