Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - $ / shares
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Aug. 31, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-Q    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Nov. 30, 2016    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017    
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1    
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   59,185,472  
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 79,491,773   79,393,393