Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - $ / shares
 9 Months Ended
May 31, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Aug. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date May 31, 2018    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3    
Trading Symbol ATU    
Entity Registrant Name ACTUANT CORP    
Entity Central Index Key 0000006955    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --08-31    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   60,895,118  
Common Class A      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.2   $ 0.2
Common Stock, Shares Authorized 168,000,000   168,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued 81,136,242   80,200,110